ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Biofuels: Electricity

Guy Opperman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the removal of its subsidy of biomass for electricity.

Gregory Barker: The Minister for Energy, my hon. Friend the Member for Wealden (Charles Hendry), recently met Fergus Ewing, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, and stakeholders from the wood processing and bioenergy industries to discuss this and other issues.

Biofuels: Timber

Guy Opperman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he is considering reducing the subsidy for biomass for wood sourced in the UK.

Gregory Barker: On 20 October 2011, we published our proposals for the levels of support available for renewable electricity generation, including sustainable biomass electricity, under the renewables obligation (RO) for the period 2013 to 2017. Our proposals aim to support the most cost-effective biomass generation such as conversion from coal which we expect to be fuelled from imports. They represent a cautious approach to the growth of new dedicated biomass plant and take account of the availability of sustainable feedstocks and the demand in non-energy sectors.
	This is a consultation. We are open to evidence from all parties on the role of biomass and the level of subsidies and are already in dialogue with the wood panel industry and others on these issues.

Departmental Responsibilities

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many meetings he has had with (a) the Renewable Energy Association and (b) the Solar Traders Association since his appointment; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: All ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on a quarterly basis and can be found on the Department's website by clicking the following link:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/accesstoinform/registers/ministermtgs/ministermtgs.aspx

Energy: Prices

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the reason is for the time taken by his Department to announce its consultation on the Energy Company Obligation.

Gregory Barker: We will be consulting on the energy company obligation (ECO) jointly with the Green Deal. We are currently finalising the documents, including draft statutory instruments to establish the whole Green Deal and ECO legal framework, which we will publish for consultation shortly.

Natural Gas: Exploration

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the risks of contamination of the water supply by the process of fracking from the leak of (a) fracking fluid and (b) methane gas.

Charles Hendry: Protection of water supplies in England and Wales are a matter for the Environment Agency, and for the corresponding bodies in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Assessment of the risk of contamination to water sources from fracking would be carried out on a case-by-case basis.
	Currently the only shale gas fracking which has taken place is at one of Cuadrilla's drilling sites in Lancashire. In this case, I understand that the Environment Agency have assessed the risks both in relation to fracking fluid and methane gas and, on present information, do not consider that these shale drilling operations pose a risk to the environment—including to water resources. If the drilling operations were to change the Environment Agency would reassess the risk, and any necessary monitoring and control measures would be put in place to protect the environment, including any drinking water sources.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether community-owned renewable energy schemes with a generating capacity above 50 kilowatt will be eligible to receive support through his proposed feed-in tariff with contract for difference.

Gregory Barker: Eligible community owned renewable electricity generating schemes between 50 kW and 5 MW are able to choose support under either the small scale feed-in tariff or the renewables obligation. Work is currently under way to determine the appropriate eligibility criteria for the feed-in tariff with contract for difference scheme and how it should interact with other support mechanisms.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of feed-in tariff installations are in (a) solar, (b) wind, (c) micro combined heat and power and (d) hydro.

Gregory Barker: The percentage of feed-in tariff installations confirmed onto the FIT scheme by technology type are:
	
		
			  As at end of October 2011 
			 Technology type Number of installations Percentage of total installations 
			 Solar photovoltaics 92,525 97.4 
			 Wind 1,917 2.0 
			 Micro combined and heat power 276 0.3 
			 Hydro 242 0.3 
			 Anaerobic digestion 13 — 
			 Total 94,973 100.0 
			 Notes: 1. The latest feed-in tariff statistics were published at 9:30 am on 4 November 2011. A further breakdown of these figures by tariff types and their corresponding installation capacity can be found in the monthly table titled ‘Feed in Tariff capacity: monthly update’. This table can be accessed through the following link: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/source/electricity/electricity.aspx 2. The statistics presented in this table includes installations transferred from the existing renewables obligation.

Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs

Alec Shelbrooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether the reduction in the feed-in tariff for solar power will apply to installations completed between 12 December 2011 and 31 March 2012.

Gregory Barker: On 31 October 2011, the Government published a consultation setting out proposed new tariffs for solar photovoltaics (PV) under the feed-in tariffs scheme. The consultation proposes that new tariffs will be implemented from 1 April 2012 but will apply to all new PV installations with an eligibility date on or after 12 December 2011. The eligibility date is the date on which a valid application is received by the feed-in tariff licensee, normally the applicant's electricity supplier.
	Under the proposals, those with an eligibility date falling between 12 December 2011 and 31 March 2012 will receive the current tariff for that period and then move to the proposed new tariff on 1 April 2012.

Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to paragraph 1 of his Department's consultation on Comprehensive Review Phase 1—Tariffs for Solar PV, published on 31 October 2011, what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of solar PV installations which have been installed but not yet registered for feed-in tariffs.

Gregory Barker: DECC publishes monthly data on the number of small scale solar PV schemes (sub-50 kW) that have been installed and registered on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme database but have not yet been confirmed onto the FIT scheme. The table can be found on the following webpage:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/source/electricity/electricity.aspx
	The latest data (as at 31 October 2011) indicate that there are 32,023 small scale solar (sub 50kW) PV schemes that have been installed but not yet confirmed onto the FIT scheme.

Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to paragraph 37 of his Department's consultation on Comprehensive Review Phase 1—Tariffs for Solar PV, published on 31 October 2011, whether his Department has made an estimate of the proportion of multiple PV installations that have been installed by (a) local authorities, (b) housing associations, (c) other public sector organisations and (d) charitable organisations.

Gregory Barker: We do not hold the information required to answer this question.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Animals: Disease Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department carried out on the effect of (a) rationalisation of veterinary laboratory service sites and (b) the reduction in numbers of staff at such sites on (i) quality of diagnosis and (ii) speed of completion of tests during a period of (A) normal demand, (B) outbreak of a non-notifiable animal disease and (C) outbreak of a notifiable animal disease; and if she will make a statement.

James Paice: The AHVLA executive team initiated a review of the delivery of laboratory services across England and Wales as part of an exercise to identify additional savings that need to be made in 2012-13, while enabling the agency to continue to deliver important scientific services to Government and the livestock industry.
	This review built on the recommendations of the VLA Sustainable Surveillance project which recommended that the post mortem examination of carcasses, which makes up the most valuable aspect of surveillance work, be de-coupled from the provision of laboratory services functions, removing the requirement for co-location of the two work areas.
	Important disease surveillance work such as post mortems carried out at each of the 16 sites will continue and it is expected that test turnaround time will be improved.
	AHVLA's ability to respond to disease outbreaks will be maintained as confirmatory tests for notifiable and non-notifiable diseases are carried out at Weybridge which is not part of the regional laboratory network.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration she has given to the public safety implications of using shooting as part of the proposed badger cull for (a) those taking part in the cull and (b) other countryside users.

James Paice: Controlled shooting in the field (including at night) is a method which is widely and safely used for culling a range of other mammals. To obtain a licence to carry out culling, operators would be required to demonstrate competence and attend a Government-approved training course. Safety and security would be key elements of the training.
	We are also looking at what information on those taking part in a cull would need to be held and how, so that their personal safety is not compromised.
	We are in discussion with the Association of Chief Police Officers and with the Home Office regarding the police response and associated costs related to the proposed badger control policy.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the effects of a badger cull using shooting on access to parts of the countryside affected by the cull;
	(2)  whether any footpaths or bridleways will be closed as part of the proposed badger cull using shooting.

James Paice: Specific licence conditions, for example those relating to shooting close to areas where there is a public right of way, will be considered on a case-by-case basis by Natural England.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has had discussions with (a) the Ramblers Association, (b) the British Horse Society and (c) other groups involved in access to the countryside on the potential effects on them of the proposed badger cull using shooting.

James Paice: I have not discussed the proposed policy with the Ramblers Association or the British Horse Society. Any organisation or individual was able to submit a response to the 2010 or 2011 consultation on the policy.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has received any representations expressing concern about the policing of a badger cull.

James Paice: Responses to the 2010 public consultation on the proposed badger control policy raised a number of important issues. A summary of responses was published in July 2011 and is available on DEFRA’s website at:
	http://archive.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/tb-control-measures/index.htm
	We are discussing the issue of policing of a badger cull with the Association of Chief Police Officers and with the Home Office.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the cost to farmers of the proposed badger cull using shooting.

James Paice: We have estimated that farmers and landowners who apply for licences are likely' to incur a cost of around £1.4 million for one 350 sq km area to carry out the culling operation (including the costs of coordination and surveying). This is based on DEFRA's estimated cost of culling—the industry believes that it can be delivered for less.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with Ministers in the Welsh Government on the proposed badger cull using shooting.

James Paice: Bovine TB is a devolved issue; however, this disease does not respect national borders and we continue to cooperate and work closely with the Welsh Government and seek to co-ordinate activity as far as possible.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what meetings she has had on the proposed badger cull using shooting since May 2010.

James Paice: Details of meetings with outside interest groups (ie any group or individuals, including lobby groups and other non-governmental organisations which have an interest in the policy of the Department) are now published on a quarterly basis. Details of all ministerial meetings up until the end of March 2011 are available online at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/who/ministers/transparency/
	Since March 2011, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), has met with the following organisations to discuss options for the control of TB—I was also present at the meetings as indicated.
	
		
			  Name of external organisation 
			 26 April 2011 Country Land and Business Association 
			 26 April 2011 Badger Trust 
			 27 April 2011 Wildlife Trusts 
			 27 April 2011 British Veterinary Association/British Cattle Veterinary Association 
			 28 April 2011 National Farmers Union 
			 28 April 2011 RSPB 
			 4 May 2011 National Trust 
			 5 May 2011 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons 
			 5 May 2011 RSPCA 
			 10 May 2011 Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust* 
			 16 May 2011 British Association for Shooting and Conservation* 
			 24 May 2011 National Farmers Union 
			 24 May 2011 British Veterinary Association/British Cattle Veterinary Association 
			 24 May 2011 Country Land and Business Association 
			 25 May 2011 Association of Chief Police Officers 
		
	
	I also met with the following organisation to discuss options for the control of TB:
	
		
			  Name of organisation 
			 3 May 2011 Tenant Farmers Association

Departmental Lost Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has lost any (a) computers, (b) mobile telephones, (c) BlackBerrys and (d) other IT equipment since May 2010; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: Official items lost or stolen are all recorded as ‘losses’. The following table shows losses reported in Core DEFRA for the period 12 May 2010 to 25 October 2011.
	
		
			 Description Quantity 
			 Computers 22 
			 Mobile telephones 3 
			 Blackberries 15 
			 Other IT equipment 12 
		
	
	All reported incidents are investigated and if theft, is suspected, the matter is reported to the police. Staff are advised to report losses of equipment while out of the office to the police directly as well as to their security team.

Departmental Telephone Services

Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department has allocated to each telephone helpline funded by her Department in 2011-12; what the purpose is of each such helpline; and how many calls each helpline received in each of the last five years.

Richard Benyon: I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave to the hon. Member for Llanelli (Nia Griffith) on 7 September 2011, Official Report, columns 653-54W, regarding the funding and purpose of helplines funded by DEFRA, except where updated information is available, which has been provided as follows:
	The number of calls each helpline received in each year of the last five years for which figures are available is given as follows:
	Core DEFRA
	
		
			 1. General DEFRA helpline 
			  Number of calls 
			 2009 74,045 
			 2010 62,794 
			 Total 136,839 
		
	
	Figures can be provided only for the last two full years; those since the contract has been with the current service provider.
	
		
			 2. DEFRA farming online helpline 
			  Number of calls 
			 2006 from April 5,903 
			 2007 8,166 
			 2008 3,266 
			 2009 4,103 
			 2010 8,616 
			 Total 30,054 
		
	
	3. PLANET (Planning land applications of nutrients for efficiency and the environment) helpline
	Allocated funding for 2011-12 is £50,000 following release of PLANET version 3
	The helpline is a support mechanism for registered users of the PLANET computer-based decision support tool which helps farmers and land managers optimise their use of fertilisers and other nutrients so helping with growing of crops and avoiding over-use which can harm the environment. The helpline provides a mix of IT help for farmers while they familiarise themselves with the software and provides nutrient management advice from trained fertiliser advisers: it also handles registration for new users of PLANET and facilitates access to the software.
	
		
			 Period Number of calls 
			 April 2006 to March 2007 777 
			 April 2007 to March 2008 551 
			 April 2008 to March 2009 850 
			 April 2009 to mid-February 2010 740 
			 Mid-February 2010 to September 2010 (1)200 
			 October 2010 to March 2011 550 
			 (1) Estimated. 
		
	
	Figures are collated by financial year, and represent the number of recorded calls. Simple administrative queries such as requests from callers to be sent the software DVD and general questions about PLANET are not recorded.
	An estimated figure is given for the period mid-February to September 2010 because precise data are currently unavailable as this represents the period when the helpline was being upgraded in preparation for the release of Planet 3 in October 2010.
	Executive agencies
	Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency
	
		
			 1. PETS helpline 
			  Number of calls 
			 2009 48,674 
			 2010 46,160 
			 Total 94,834 
		
	
	Figures can be provided only for the last two full years; those since the contract has been with the current service provider.
	
		
			 2. TSE helpline 
			  Number of calls 
			 2006 247,167 
			 2007 267,842 
			 2008 257,515 
			 2009 23,218 
			 2010 10,819 
			 Total 806,561 
		
	
	3. Wild bird surveillance and animal disease helpline
	It is not possible at this time to provide separate figures for the animal disease helpline because it is only activated when there is a major animal disease outbreak.
	Calls about animal disease (outside of the period of a major disease outbreak) and wild bird surveillance are incorporated into the general DEFRA helpline figures.
	Rural Payments Agency
	
		
			 1.   British Cattle Movement Service helpline 
			  Number of calls 
			 2006 309,399 
			 2007 270,366 
			 2008 239,994 
			 2009 241,480 
			 2010 219,076 
			 Total 1,280,315 
		
	
	
		
			 2.   Rural Payments Agency helpline 
			  Number of calls 
			 2006 441,120 
			 2007 308,128 
			 2008 217,743 
			 2009 279,392 
			 2010 289,264 
			 Total 1,535,647 
		
	
	The figures include helplines for the following: Single Payment Scheme, Rural Land Register, Customer Registration, Payment Receipts Information and Rural Payments Agency Online.
	Non-departmental public bodies
	Environment Agency
	
		
			 1. Environment Agency floodline 
			  Live agent service Recorded message service 
			 2006 73,642 82,039 
			 2007 135,389 333,663 
			 2008 85,447 217,028 
			 2009 57,882 96,236 
			 2010 40,384 55,669 
			 Total 392,744 784,635 
		
	
	2.  Environment Agency’s national customer contact centre (NCCC)
	This covers three helplines as shown in the following table.
	
		
			  General inquiries Hazardous waste Agricultural waste 
			 2007 82,039 78,572 57,057 
			 2008 333,663 64,819 10,733 
			 2009 217,028 50,047 11,182 
			 2010 96,236 37,197 8,646 
			 Total 784,635 230,635 87,618 
		
	
	Figures are not available for 2006 as the national customer contact centre retains data for a maximum of four years.
	Natural England
	Since a restructure on 1 April 2011, which consolidated management accountability for its helplines under a single function, Natural England has been collating precise figures on the number of calls to its helplines. It does not hold information for the number of calls received for previous years.

Legal Opinion

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times her Department's legal section provided legal advice to Ministers in (a) 2007, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) the first six months of 2011.

Richard Benyon: The Department does not record the number of times the Department's legal advisers provide advice to Ministers. Advice is provided on an ongoing basis, as and when necessary.

Lighting

Jo Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has made an assessment of the recent surveys of (a) nuisance lighting and (b) light pollution by the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the British Astronomical Association's Campaign for Dark Skies.

Richard Benyon: The Government welcome the 2011 Star Count Survey and the other activities undertaken by the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the Campaign for Dark Skies to raise awareness of light pollution. Officials have not assessed the unpublished underlying data but have discussed the results with the Campaign to Protect Rural England, which show an increase in the number of people taking part who could see fewer than ten stars (from 54% in 2007 to 59% in 2011).

Veterinary Laboratory Service: Newcastle upon Tyne

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average length of time is for a sample sent by post from the Veterinary Laboratory in Thirsk to be tested and the results known by the Newcastle upon Tyne Laboratory; and if she will make a statement.

James Paice: AHVLA are unable to provide this information as there have not been any samples sent by the veterinary laboratory in Thirsk to be tested at the laboratory in Newcastle upon Tyne.

WALES

Charities

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representatives she has received from children's charities on levels of child poverty in Wales.

David Jones: Both the Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), and I receive regular representations from a range of organisations about matters relevant to Wales including charities.
	The Government are firmly committed to the goal of eradicating child poverty in Wales and across the United Kingdom by 2020. The UK's first Child Poverty Strategy ‘A New Approach to Child Poverty: Tackling the Causes of Disadvantage and Transforming Families’ Lives’ sets out a new approach to tackling poverty for this Parliament and up to 2020.
	We must also recognise that the Welsh Government have responsibility for a number of factors that affect child poverty and have their own Child Poverty Strategy and Delivery Plan for Wales. It is important that their strategy dovetails with ours especially given that Wales continues to show levels of child poverty above the UK average.

Charities

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what grants her Department made to charitable organisations in each of the last five years.

David Jones: Nil.

Departmental Consultants

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many full-time equivalent staff are employed on consultancy contracts in her Department; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: None.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 her Department has received in each month since May 2010; how many responses given in each such month disclosed (a) the full information requested, (b) part of the information requested, with some information withheld under exemptions in the Act and (c) none of the information requested; and in respect of how many requests received in each such month (i) (A) substantive and (B) holding responses were issued within 20 working days of the date of receipt, (ii) no substantive response was issued within 40 working days of the date of receipt and (iii) no substantive response has yet been issued.

David Jones: The information requested is given in the following tables. Data for quarters 3 and 4 in 2011 are not yet finalised and will be published by the Ministry of Justice in their quarterly reports on the operation of the Freedom of Information Act. Statistics on the time taken to respond to cases over 20 working days during 2011-12 will be published in the departmental annual report.
	
		
			 2010 
			  May June July August September October November December 
			 Total received 10 17 17 8 14 5 18 14 
			 (a) Full information released 5 7 9 2 5 0 9 8 
			 (b) Disclosed part of the information 2 3 1 0 0 0 0 2 
			 (c) Disclosed none of the information 0 0 0 1 2 0 2 0 
		
	
	
		
			  May June July August September October November December 
			 (i)(A) Substantive response within 20 days 10 14 17 7 12 5 16 12 
			 (i)(B) Holding response within  20 days 0 2 0 1 0 0 1 2 
			 (ii) No substantive response within 40 days 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 (iii) No substantive response yet issued 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 2011 (to 30 June) 
			  January February March April May June 
			 Total received 11 12 19 12 14 21 
			 (a) Full information released 5 3 2 3 3 7 
			 (b) Disclosed part of the information 1 2 0 2 2 3 
			 (c) Disclosed none of the information 1 0 4 1 1 1 
		
	
	
		
			  January February March 
			 (i)(A) Substantive response within 20 days 10 10 16 
			 (i)(B) Holding response within 20 days 1 2 2 
			 (ii) No substantive response within 40 days 0 0 0 
			 (iii) No substantive response yet issued 0 0 0

Departmental Freedom of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales in respect of how many responses to requests for information received by her Department under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the reason of (a) commercially sensitive information, (b) information not held, (c) information too costly to provide and (d) vexatious or repeated requests has been given in response since January 2010.

David Jones: The information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number 
			 (a) commercially sensitive information 2 
			 (b) information not held 94 
			 (c) too costly to provide 3 
		
	
	
		
			 (d) vexatious or repeated requests 0

Departmental Freedom of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which Minister in her Department is responsible for determining whether exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 should apply to responses to requests for information made under the Act; and which other Minister is responsible for making such determinations should the subject matter of the request fall within the Ministerial responsibilities of the Minister with lead responsibility.

David Jones: Departmental officials would normally determine whether exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 should apply to responses to requests for information under the Act.
	However, the exemption under section 36 (prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs) of the Act can only apply if it is the reasonable opinion of a qualified person that the exemption applies. In relation to information held by Government Departments, the qualified person must be a Minister. The Wales Office has not yet received a request where the section 36 exemption has been seen as appropriate, but would consider the most appropriate Minister when such a case is received.

Departmental Legal Opinion

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department spent on (a) legal advice and (b) instructing counsel in (i) 2007, (ii) 2009, (iii) 2010 and (iv) the first six months of 2011; how many times (A) her Department was taken to court and (B) a decision taken by her Department was subject to a judicial review; and what the outcome was of each such (1) case and (2) review.

David Jones: The Wales Office spent £4,850.25 in 2007-08, £43,501.18 in 2009-10, £27.40 in 2010-11 and £435.10 in the first six months of the current financial year on legal advice from the Treasury Solicitor.
	The Wales Office has not been taken to court or had any decisions taken to a judicial review.

Departmental Legal Opinion

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many times her Department's legal section provided legal advice to Ministers in (a) 2007, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) the first six months of 2011.

David Jones: The Wales Office does not keep a detailed record of all legal advice provided to Ministers. Some information could be provided but only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Legal Opinion

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many times her Department sought legal advice from external counsel in (a) 2007, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) the first six months of 2011.

David Jones: None.

Departmental Legal Opinion

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the cost was of (a) internal and (b) external legal advice commissioned by her Department in the first six months of 2011.

David Jones: The Wales Office receives its internal legal advice from two lawyers employed by the Department. The only external legal advice it received in the first six months of this year was from the Treasury Solicitor, at a cost of £435.10.

Departmental Manpower

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many officials in her Department were working in its legal section in June 2011; and how many staff were working in the legal departments of her Department's agencies and non-departmental bodies.

David Jones: There were 2 (1.8 full-time equivalents) lawyers working at the Wales Office in June 2011. The Wales Office has no agencies or non-departmental bodies.

Departmental Manpower

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many officials were (a) directly and (b) otherwise employed by non-departmental public bodies for which her Department is responsible (i) in 2000, (ii) in 2005, (iii) in 2007, (iv) in 2010 and (v) on the most recent date for which figures are available.

David Jones: The number of officials directly working at the Wales Office were as follows:
	(i) 58 in 2000;
	(ii) 54 in 2005;
	(iii) 53 in 2007;
	(iv) 56 in 2010; and
	(v) as at 31 October 2011, there was a total of 51 staff.
	The Wales Office has no responsibility for any non-departmental public body.

Departmental Pay

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many officials in her Department and the bodies for which she is responsible earned more than (a) £65,000, (b) £95,000, (c) £140,000 and (d) £175,000 in the last year for which figures are available.

David Jones: The Wales Office had three members of staff who earned more than £65,000 in 2010-11. There were no staff who earned more than £95,000.

Departmental Regulation

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) statutory instruments, (b) ministerial orders and (c) other pieces of secondary legislation were issued by her Department in (i) 1990, (ii) 1995, (iii) each year since 1999 and (iv) 2011 to date.

David Jones: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Responsibilities

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications from employees to run services for which her Department is directly responsible she has received since May 2010; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: None.

Departmental Work Experience

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many unpaid and expenses-only internships (a) her Department and (b) each public body for which she is responsible employed in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

David Jones: We have hosted two expenses-only work experience placements for two undergraduates during this time. We are not responsible for any public bodies.

Young Offenders

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions she has had with (a) the Secretary of State for the Home Department and (b) Welsh Government Ministers on youth crime.

David Jones: The Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), and I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the right hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), and Welsh Government Ministers on a wide range of issues, but we have not had any recent discussions about youth crime.
	We do, however, recognise the importance of tackling youth crime and indeed the Secretary of State for Wales has recently spoken at an event that celebrated the success of a programme aimed at rehabilitating young offenders and breaking the cycle of crime.
	Tackling youth crime is a priority for this Government and the focus of recent work has been with areas in England who face the greatest problems. On 1 November a cross-Government report on ending gang and serious youth violence was published. This sets out the start of crucial work to tackle gang and youth violence through prevention and tough punishment.
	We will work with the Welsh Government and other organisations to ensure that any good practice identified is shared across England and Wales in both devolved and non-devolved areas.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Adam Werritty

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether (a) he, (b) his Ministers and (c) officials of his Department have met (i) Mr Michael Hintze, (ii) Mr Tony Buckingham, (iii) Mr Michael Davis, (iv) Mr Poju Zabludowicz, (v) Mr Jon Moulton and (vi) Mr Stephen Crouch; and where any such meetings took place.

Owen Paterson: No.

Adam Werritty

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether (a) he, (b) officials of his Department and (c) special advisers in his Department have met Mr Adam Werritty on official business since May 2010; and how many such meetings took place (i) on his Department’s premises and (ii) elsewhere.

Owen Paterson: No.

Departmental Manpower

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many officials were (a) directly and (b) otherwise employed by non-departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible (i) in 2000, (ii) in 2005, (iii) in 2007, (iv) in 2010 and (v) on the most recent date for which figures are available.

Hugo Swire: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available for the years preceding the completion of devolution of policing and justice functions on 12 April 2010. However, there are currently 10 officials working in such organisations sponsored by my Department.

Departmental Work Experience

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many unpaid and expenses-only internships (a) his Department and (b) each public body for which he is responsible employed in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Owen Paterson: No one has been employed by my Department on this basis. However, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, which is sponsored by my Department, employed nine interns in the 2010-11 reporting year; these internships were offered on an expenses-only basis.

Foreign Relations: Republic of Ireland

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Republic of Ireland on further joint collaboration.

Hugo Swire: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson), has regular meetings with the Minister for Foreign Affairs during which there is frequent discussion about how the two Governments can work together on various issues to the benefit of Northern Ireland.
	I met with the Department for Foreign Affairs most recently in Dublin on 27 October 2011.

Legal Opinion

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times his Department's legal section provided legal advice to Ministers in (a) 2007, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) the first six months of 2011.

Hugo Swire: On 12 April 2010, the Northern Ireland Office transferred responsibility for policing and justice to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Comparative figures are not available prior to this date.
	The Northern Ireland Office receives legal support from a range of Government bodies, including the Crown Solicitor's Office for Northern Ireland, the Treasury Solicitor's Office, the Home Office Legal Advisor's Branch, and the Departmental Solicitor's Office.
	Advice to Ministers reflects legal advice from these sources where appropriate. I am unable to provide specific figures because legal advice is generally incorporated into submissions prepared by officials from across the Department and analysing these could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Legal Opinion

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times his Department sought legal advice from external counsel in (a) 2007, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) the first six months of 2011.

Owen Paterson: On 12 April 2010, the Northern Ireland Office transferred responsibility for policing and justice to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Comparative figures are not available prior to this date.
	The Northern Ireland Office receives legal support from a range of Government bodies, including the Crown Solicitor's Office for Northern Ireland, the Treasury Solicitor's Office, the Home Office Legal Advisor's Branch, and the Departmental Solicitor's Office. The Northern Ireland Office does not commission external legal advice itself, but in acting on behalf of the Department, these bodies may from time to time engage counsel.

Legal Opinion

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many officials in his Department were working in its legal section in June 2011; and how many staff were working in the legal departments of his Department’s agencies and non-departmental bodies.

Owen Paterson: The Northern Ireland Office does not have its own legal section. It receives legal support from a range of Government bodies, including the Crown Solicitor’s Office for Northern Ireland, the Treasury Solicitor’s Office, the Home Office Legal Adviser’s Branch and the Departmental Solicitor’s Office.
	The Northern Ireland Office does not have any agencies. It has two Executive non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), the Parades Commission and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. Staffing of these bodies is an operational matter on which my hon. Friend may wish to write to the bodies concerned directly.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Betting Shops: Licensing

Harriet Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many betting shop premises are licensed in each local authority area; and how many such licences are currently active.

Bob Neill: The Department is not responsible for betting shop licensing. I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answer given to her by the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), on 31 October 2011, Official Report, column 476W.

Charities

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what grants his Department made to charitable organisations in each of the last five years.

Andrew Stunell: The Department's records do not differentiate between payments made to charitable organisations and other voluntary and community sector organisations. A list of payments made under section 70 of the Charities Act 2006 to charities and voluntary groups is published in the Department's annual report and resource accounts on a yearly basis.
	This information will include payments made by the Department to charities in each year. Annual reports and resources accounts for each year are published on the Department's website.
	Data on grants over £500 since 2008-09 are also available on my Department's website as part of our transparency initiative.

Community Relations

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is on the National Planning Policy Framework containing measures to safeguard the character and sustainable community of towns and villages in England.

Greg Clark: Our reforms aim to strengthen local decision making and reinforce the importance of local plans. The draft National Planning Policy Framework includes policies on the importance of responding to local character, reflecting the identity of local surroundings and planning positively for the provision for community facilities and other local services.
	The 12-week consultation period closed on 17 October 2011. We have received over 14,000 responses and are now considering these. Following a process of full and careful consideration, we will publish revised text taking into account representations that have been made and a summary of responses to the consultation.

Council Tax: Swindon

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will estimate the average saving to a household in Swindon in each council tax band of the council tax freeze in 2012-13.

Bob Neill: The saving to a household in each council tax band in Swindon should the relevant authorities (Swindon Unitary Authority, Wiltshire Fire and Wiltshire Police) each choose to freeze their council tax in 2012-13 would be as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			 Band A 46 
			 Band B 54 
			 Band C 62 
			 Band D 70 
			 Band E 85 
			 Band F 101 
			 Band G 116 
			 Band H 139 
		
	
	The savings shown are compared to an increase of 5%.
	The differences in savings from the freeze are a simple reflection of the fact that higher banded homes pay more council tax.
	I would note under the last Government, from 1997 to 2010, council tax bills more than doubled—across all council tax bands. This hit pensioners and others on fixed incomes the hardest. Correspondingly, the coalition Government's grant scheme to help local authorities to freeze council tax this year and next will provide significant help to those council taxpayers on low and fixed incomes.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which Minister in his Department is responsible for determining whether exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 should apply to responses to requests for information under the Act; and which other Minister is responsible for making such determinations should the subject matter of the request fall within the Ministerial responsibilities of the Minister with lead responsibility.

Bob Neill: Ministers are in general not responsible for determining whether exemptions should apply to information sought in requests made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, although they may be consulted for their views by departmental officials. In the case of the exemption at section 36—prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs—the Act requires the opinion of a Minister of the Crown that the section is engaged with respect to the information being requested. Without that opinion, the exemption cannot apply.

Departmental Responsibilities

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many applications from employees to run services for which his Department is directly responsible he has received since May 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: My Department has not received any applications from employees to run services for which it is directly responsible since May 2010. The Government have committed that every Department will put in place Rights to Provide for public sector workers to take over the running of services. The Department has also supported the concept of an employee-led bid for the audit work being tendered by the Audit Commission and has worked with the Commission to ensure a level playing field for all potential bidders. It is encouraging that DA Partnership—which will be majority employee-owned—has been invited to tender in the next stage of the process.

Departmental Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what level of security vetting is required for the post of (a) head of communications, (b) deputy head of communications and (c) head of press office in his Department; and if he will list each person who has held these posts since May 2010.

Bob Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government follows the guidance in the publicly available booklet Her Majesties Government Personnel Security Controls, available from the Cabinet Office website at:
	www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/hmg-personnel-security-controls
	It would not be appropriate to confirm which specific posts within the Department are the subject of vetting, or who has held these posts since May 2010. Confirmation of which posts and persons are subject to vetting would highlight who within the Department has access to sensitive material and could be used for targeting purposes.

Departmental Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what level of security vetting is required for (a) grade six and seven, or equivalent, press officers and (b) ministerial private secretaries in his Department.

Bob Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government follows the guidance in the publicly available booklet Her Majesties Government Personnel Security Controls, available from the Cabinet Office website at:
	www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/hmg-personnel-security-controls
	It would not be appropriate to confirm which specific posts within the Department are the subject of vetting. Confirmation of which posts are subject to vetting at what level would highlight who within the Department has access to sensitive material and could be used for targeting purposes.

Departmental Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what level of security vetting is required for (a) special advisers and (b) ministerial-appointed policy advisers in his Department; and if he will list each person who has held these posts since May 2010.

Bob Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government follows the guidance in the publicly available booklet ‘Her Majesties Government Personnel Security Controls’, available from the Cabinet Office website at:
	www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/hmg-personnel-security-controls
	It would not be appropriate to confirm which specific posts within the Department are the subject of vetting. The names of special advisers are published quarterly by the Cabinet Office in the Library of the House and also on the Cabinet Office website at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/special-adviser-data-releases
	Confirmation of which posts and persons are subject to vetting would highlight who within the Department has access to sensitive material and could be used for targeting purposes.

Empty Property

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of progress on his Department's policy to return empty homes to use.

Grant Shapps: My Department has already taken a number of steps to support local action to bring empty homes back into use. Through the New Homes Bonus we have introduced a powerful new incentive scheme, for tackling empty homes. Under New Homes Bonus Government match the council tax for six years, using the national average in each band, for any empty homes that becomes a new home for somebody, with an additional amount being provided for those brought back into use as new affordable homes. In the first year alone, around 16,000 long-term empty homes were brought back into use and rewarded through the New Homes Bonus scheme, with local authorities benefiting from around £19 million additional funding as a result I refer my hon. Friend to the written ministerial statement of 31 October 2011, Official Report, column 24WS.
	In addition, we have set aside £100 million from the Affordable Homes Programme to bring empty homes back into use as affordable housing. This funding will be available from April 2012 until March 2015 and we will shortly be publishing the detailed bidding guidance to enable both registered providers of social housing and community and voluntary groups to apply. We expect that this will generate innovative good practice as well as bringing at least 3,300 empty homes back into use.
	We have also worked with the Homes and Communities Agency to launch an online Empty Homes Toolkit(1) and an interactive mapping toolkit(2 )which provide information and practical advice on tackling empty homes. The Empty Homes Toolkit is the most popular resource on the agency website and is one of the top 10 most popular pages on the site.
	(1) http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/news/new-toolkits-tackle-englands-734000-empty-homes
	(2) This toolkit is available to local authorities.

Enterprise Zones

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities have applied to set up enterprise zones and had their applications rejected.

Greg Clark: holding answer 24 October 2011
	Bids for enterprise zones were requested from Local Enterprise Partnerships. In this context, no applications were received from individual local authorities. A copy of the enterprise zone prospectus can be found at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/pdf/1872724.pdf

Housing: Construction

Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of total housing need at the (a) upper and (b) lower limits of the recently published Office for National Statistics figures in projected population by 2050.

Andrew Stunell: The Department does not estimate housing need. However, the Department publishes household projections, which are a trend-based view of the number of households that would form given a projected population and previous demographic trends.
	Household projections are based on the sub-national population projections published by the Office for National Statistics, the most recent of which are 2008-based. The 2008-based household projections show that, by 2033, there will be a projected 27.5 million households in England, an additional 5.8 million households compared to 2008. This decreases to 26.3 million projected households in 2033 using the low population variant projection (an additional 4.6 million households compared to 2008), and increases to 28.7 million projected households in 2033 using the high population variant projection (an additional seven million households compared to 2008).

Local Enterprise Partnerships: Worcestershire

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will estimate the level of inward investment to Redditch and the West Midlands arising from steps taken by the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership.

Greg Clark: Worcestershire local enterprise partnership has stated that the two projects they are currently developing to drive business growth will bring an additional £300 million of private sector funding to the area, creating over 8,000 jobs.

Local Government Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2011, Official Report, column 1045W, on Local Government Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill, when he expects to bring forward the agreed amendments to the Bill; and for what reason there has been a delay in the amendments being brought forward.

Bob Neill: holding answer 1 November 2011
	Following prioritisation of the Localism Bill, we now intend to bring forward amendments shortly.

Local Government: Internet

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department issues to local authorities on the use of social media websites.

Bob Neill: The Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity, which local authorities have to have regard to when producing their publicity, includes guidance on hosting blogs and forums.

Local Government: Pensions

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department has carried out an economic impact assessment on the effect of proposed changes to the Local Government Pensions Scheme in Stoke-on-Trent.

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment he has made of the likely effect on its members of his proposed changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: The detailed design of the proposals to achieve £900 million of savings in the Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales by 2014-15 set out in the statutory consultation letter dated 7 October is specifically intended to minimise scheme opt-outs and protect the position of low paid, mostly part-time members. Some 20% of scheme members would pay no increased contributions under either of the Government's options and a further 33% would pay no more than a 1.2% increase, before tax relief, by 2014-15.
	In due course, the appropriate impact assessments will be published to reflect the decisions reached following the conclusion of the statutory consultation process early in the new year.

Manufacturing Industries: Non-Domestic Rates

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what incentives he plans to include in any future scheme for business rates to encourage local authorities to support manufacturing industry and small businesses.

Bob Neill: The Government have consulted on their proposals to allow local authorities to benefit from the business rates paid by all businesses in their areas. They are considering responses to that consultation and will set out their decision on the proposed scheme as soon as possible.

Non-Domestic Rates

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will place in the Library copies of all responses to his consultation on business rates.

Bob Neill: The Government are considering responses to their consultation on the local retention of business rates and will publish a summary of those responses in due course.

Planning Permission: Milton Keynes

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many representations to his Department's consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework were from the Milton Keynes unitary authority district.

Greg Clark: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Skipton and Ripon (Julian Smith).

Planning: Skipton

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many responses to the consultation on the Draft National Planning Policy Framework were received from Skipton and Ripon constituency.

Greg Clark: We have received over 14,000 responses to the consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework and my Department is currently in the process of registering all of the responses. It is not possible to provide accurate information on the number of representations received from parliamentary constituencies or for other defined areas as many responses have been sent in electronic form or do not contain a full postal address.
	We will give careful consideration to the responses received to inform our final decisions and we will publish a summary of responses to the consultation in due course.

Race Relations

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department plans to take steps in response to the recommendation of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on the development of a race equality strategy.

Andrew Stunell: The Government are tackling the specific issues associated with racial discrimination through their single equality strategy, social mobility strategy and integration policies. The Government continue to give careful consideration to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination's recommendations.

Race Relations

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he plans to take in respect of the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Stunell: The Government are tackling all forms of discrimination and disadvantage through their equality, social mobility and integration policies. In the context of that we continue to consider the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination's recommendations. In a year's time, the Government will provide further information to the Committee on four of their recommendations, as requested in paragraph 37 of the Committee's conclusions. The Government will also respond fully to all of Committee's recommendations in its next state report by April 2014, as requested by the Committee in paragraphs 38 and 39 of their conclusions.

Social Enterprises

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions he has had about promoting social enterprises within his Department's area of responsibility in each month since May 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Stunell: holding answer 27 October 2011
	The Department for Communities and Local Government ministerial team have had many discussions both internally and with external partners regarding social enterprises since May 2010. Given that a number of these discussions were informal, ad hoc and sometimes took place as part of other meetings it would be impossible to list all of them.
	However the Department believes that community-based social enterprises have a particularly important role in supporting citizens and communities to take power into their hands and build the big society, and are vital to help grow a sustainable and dynamic economy. The Department is currently undertaking a range of actions to help support the development and maintenance of these organisations.
	Through the Localism Bill we are giving communities the right to challenge to run local authority services, where they believe they could do this differently or better, and to ensure that community organisations have a fair chance to bid to take over community assets important to them. This presents a greater opportunity for communities to use the social enterprise model as a method to run assets and services on a sustainable basis.
	We have provided capital (grants and loans) to social enterprise-orientated organisations through the Communitybuilders Fund (which has been endowed to the Adventure Capital Fund) and other Departmental Funds. We also continue to support the Asset Transfer Unit which provides expert advice, guidance and support concerning the transfer of under-used land and buildings from the public sector to community social enterprises.
	On the 3 November, I launched an action research report (commissioned from the Young Foundation) which seeks to show how local authorities can better understand and support social enterprises in their local areas. The Department is also working closely with the sector to demonstrate the value of social enterprise to the new Local Economic Partnerships. The results of this work will be published shortly.

Travellers: Caravan Sites

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  when he plans to announce his policy on planning for Gypsy and Traveller sites;
	(2)  when he plans to publish the Planning Policy Statement on Gypsy and Traveller sites to replace circulars 01/2006 and 04/2007.

Bob Neill: The Government published their draft new planning policy for Traveller sites for consultation in April 2011. The consultation closed in August. We are currently analysing the responses and intend to publish a new policy as soon as possible.

Urban Areas: Finance

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many bids have been received from local authorities for funding from the High Street Support Scheme; and how much funding has been disbursed to each local authority.

Bob Neill: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 1 November 2011, Official Report, column 490W.

JUSTICE

Adam Werritty

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether (a) he, (b) any Ministers and (c) officials of his Department have met (i) Mr Michael Hintze, (ii) Mr Tony Buckingham, (iii) Mr Michael Davis, (iv) Mr Poju Zabludowicz, (v) Jon Moulton and (vi) Stephen Crouch; and where any such meetings took place.

Kenneth Clarke: Neither I nor my ministerial colleagues have attended any meetings with the individuals named above.
	The Ministry of Justice does not centrally record meetings attended by all officials in the department. To collate the information requested would exceed the cost limit for answering parliamentary questions.

Birmingham Prison

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether the private sector bids in the tendering process for HMP Birmingham were charged for (a) life supervision, (b) parole hearings, (c) programmes and (d) other centralised services from the National Offender Management Service.

Crispin Blunt: The following approach was taken for each of the highlighted areas:
	(a) Life supervision; this did not form part of the required scope of services.
	(b) Parole hearings; this forms part of the scope of services, has been priced for accordingly by the private sector bidders and is deemed included in their subsequent submitted cost for delivering the contracted services.
	(c) Programmes; this forms part of the scope of services, has been priced for accordingly by the private sector bidders and is deemed included in their subsequent submitted cost for delivering the contracted services.
	(d) Other centralised services from the National Offender Management Service; private sector suppliers do not generally rely on any shared services being provided by NOMS so no charge is applicable. If specific services can be identified then specific can be provided.

Channel Islands

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when Ministers next plan to travel to the Channel Islands; and whether they plan to raise implementation of the (a) Food Supplements Directive and (b) Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation.

Kenneth Clarke: Lord McNally, the Minister with responsibility for the Crown Dependencies plans to visit both Jersey and Guernsey over the next 12 months.
	Lord McNally has previously raised the implementation of the Food Supplements Directive and the Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation with the authorities in both Jersey and Guernsey. The Channel Islands have confirmed that they are taking the necessary steps to implement these EU Regulations in their domestic legislation at the earliest opportunity.

Crown Courts: Teesside

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what representations he has received on the logs issued by Teesside Crown court in the case of Mr Christopher Shepherd for 31 March 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan Djanogly: Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service has received oral requests and a written request under the Data Protection Act for the court log referring to the case of Mr Christopher Shepherd. The court log was provided.

Departmental Manpower

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many officials were (a) directly and (b) otherwise employed by non-departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible (i) in 2000, (ii) in 2005, (iii) in 2007, (iv) in 2010 and (v) on the most recent date for which figures are available.

Kenneth Clarke: No Ministry of Justice non-departmental public bodies employ civil servants except the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) which, in 2007, transferred from the Home Office to the Ministry of Justice as part of machinery of Government changes. Until 1 November 2010, CICA staff were Scottish Government civil servants who transferred to the Ministry of Justice on that date.
	In the financial year 2007-08, the average number of CICA staff was 416. Information is available on CICA staff at 30 June 2010 and at 31 March 2011 as part of the transparency agenda and can be accessed at
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/transparency-data/senior-civil-service-salaries-and-organograms.htm

Departmental Responsibilities

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice at how many events organised by (a) charities, (b) other civil society groups, (c) businesses and (d) lobbying organisations Ministers and senior officials in his Department have given speeches in each month since May 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Kenneth Clarke: I have listed in the table the number of events that both my ministerial colleagues and I have spoken at since May 2010 in a ministerial capacity. I have not included constituency or party political engagements.
	
		
			  Number 
			 Charity events  
			 June 2010 1 
			 June 2011 1 
			 July 2011 1 
			 October 2011 1 
			   
			 Civil Society Group events  
			 July 2010 1 
			 October 2010 1 
			 November 2010 3 
		
	
	
		
			 December 2010 1 
			 March 2011 3 
			 May 2011 1 
			 June 2011 1 
			 July 2011 1 
			   
			 Business events  
			 July 2011 1 
			 September 2011 1 
		
	
	
		
			 Lord McNally, Minister of State 
			  Number 
			 Charity events  
			 March 2011 1 
			 October 2011 1 
			   
			 Civil Society Group events  
			 March 2011 4 
			 May 2011 1 
			 June 2011 3 
			 July 2011 1 
			 October 2011 3 
			   
			 Business events  
			 February 2011 1 
			 September 2011 1 
			   
			 Lobbyist events  
			 July 2010 1 
			 February 2011 1 
			 March 2011 3 
			 June 2011 1 
		
	
	
		
			 Crispin Blunt,   Parliam  entary Under-  Secretary of State 
			  Number 
			 Charity events  
			 July 2010 1 
			 September 2010 1 
			 October 2010 5 
			 December 2010 1 
			 January 2011 1 
			 June 2011 1 
			 July 2011 1 
			 September 2011 1 
			   
			 Civil Society Group events  
			 February 2011 1 
			   
			 Business events  
			 October 2010 1 
		
	
	
		
			 Jonathan Djanogly, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State 
			  Number 
			 Charity events  
			 October 2010 1 
			 February 2011 1 
			 July 2011 1 
			   
		
	
	
		
			 Civil Society Group events  
			 July 2010  
			 September 2010  
			 Nov 2010 1 
			 March 2011 1 
			 April 2011 1 
			 May 2011 1 
			 July 2011 1 
			 September 2011 1 
			 October 2011 1 
			   
			 Business events  
			 April 2011 1 
			 June 2011 1 
			 October 2011 1 
		
	
	The Home Office will respond for Nick Herbert, Minister of State.
	The Ministry of Justice does not centrally record events attended by senior officials. To seek to collate this information would exceed the cost limit for answering parliamentary questions.

Departmental Work Experience

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many unpaid and expenses-only internships (a) his Department and (b) each public body for which he is responsible employed in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Kenneth Clarke: Over the period of the last 12 months, the Ministry does not hold a central record of the total number of persons undertaking unpaid work experience, work placements and internships. To establish this information will require an examination of locally held records and this will incur a disproportionate cost. However, the Ministry has engaged in the new Whitehall Internship programme pilot for 2011, which provided two unpaid interns for two weeks from 25 July 2011.
	The Ministry of Justice is developing a policy on work experience, work placements and internships in order to meets its commitment to provide a minimum of 100 work placements during 2011-12.

Dogs Act 1871

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people have been subject to proceedings in a magistrates court for offences under the Dogs Act 1871 in each year since 2005.

Crispin Blunt: Proceedings in the magistrates courts for offences under the Dogs Act 1871 cannot be separately identified from offences under sections 1(3) and 1(6) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1989. The available information from 2005 to 2010 (latest available) is given in the following table.
	Annual court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for publication in the spring 2012.
	
		
			 Number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences related to dogs  (1)  , England and Wales, 2005  -  10  (2,3) 
			  2005 2006 2007 2008  (4) 2009 2010 
			 Total proceeded against 306 232 269 199 135 184 
			 (1) Includes offences under: Dogs Act 1871, section 2—Owning dangerous dog not kept under control; Dangerous Dogs Act 1989, section 1(3)—Failing to comply with control order made under Dogs Act 1871, section 2; Dangerous Dogs Act 1989, section 1(3)—Failing to comply with destruction order made under Dangerous Dogs Act 1989, section 1(1)(a); Dangerous Dogs Act 1989, section 1(6)—Having custody of dog in breach of disqualification order. (2) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (4) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice

Knives: Crime

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were prosecuted for an offence in connection with a knife in (a) London, (b) England and (c) each police force area in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts in relation to selected knife offences, by police force area in England and Wales, from 2006 to 2010 (latest available) can be viewed in the table.
	Court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for publication in the spring, 2012.
	
		
			 Persons proceeded against at magistrates' courts for selected offences, by   police force area  , England   and   Wales, 2006-10  (1, 2, 3) 
			 Offence  /  Police force area 2006 2007 2008  (4) 2009 2010 
			 Have a blade or article which was sharply pointed in public place, or on school premises(5)      
			 AvonandSomerset 214 200 169 215 198 
			 Bedfordshire 74 81 82 90 98 
			 Cambridgeshire 83 65 91 79 66 
			 Cheshire 101 121 97 142 109 
			 CityofLondon 16 10 9 13 14 
			 Cleveland 90 109 134 120 119 
			 Cumbria 50 51 46 84 60 
			 Derbyshire 94 123 71 108 98 
			 DevonandCornwall 138 171 171 195 173 
			 Dorset 81 78 60 89 100 
			 Durham 96 107 49 105 80 
			 Essex 217 182 158 280 235 
			 Gloucestershire 48 48 51 74 55 
			 GreaterManchester 441 436 363 474 363 
			 Hampshire 194 198 274 288 220 
			 Hertfordshire 105 78 66 120 133 
			 Humberside 135 170 135 190 134 
			 Kent 3 2 106 170 140 
			 Lancashire 169 176 152 222 229 
			 Leicestershire 140 135 100 100 105 
			 Lincolnshire 85 54 104 101 78 
			 Merseyside 253 250 228 403 312 
			 MetropolitanPolice 2,099 1,810 2,267 2,138 1,975 
		
	
	
		
			 Norfolk 80 96 113 114 118 
			 NorthYorkshire 70 62 42 91 92 
			 Northamptonshire 1 3 37 95 97 
			 Northumbria 246 318 276 393 346 
			 Nottinghamshire 176 184 164 214 181 
			 SouthYorkshire 169 179 151 210 185 
			 Staffordshire 111 108 61 119 122 
			 Suffolk 123 97 43 85 64 
			 Surrey 47 65 71 82 58 
			 Sussex 165 165 179 206 159 
			 ThamesValley 227 165 167 289 258 
			 Warwickshire 38 32 59 53 35 
			 WestMercia 124 117 93 119 128 
			 WestMidlands 469 485 472 540 411 
			 WestYorkshire 214 227 267 300 226 
			 Wiltshire 82 53 24 82 81 
			 England 7,268 7,011 7,202 8,792 7,655 
			 Dyfed-Powys 39 51 44 51 44 
			 Gwent 74 77 59 81 72 
			 NorthWales 131 101 98 81 82 
			 SouthWales 187 164 144 237 226 
			 Wales 431 393 345 450 424 
			       
			 England and Wales 7,699 7,404 7,547 9,242 8,079 
			       
			 Unlawfulmarketing of knives(6)      
			 GreaterManchester — — — — — 
			 Kent — — — 2 — 
			 MetropolitanPolice — — — — — 
			 WestMercia — — — — — 
			 WestYorkshire 1 1 — — — 
			 England 1 1 — 2 — 
			 (1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3 )The figures presented here have been taken from the Ministry of Justices court proceedings database and are a record of the sentences passed in courts, they will differ from the figures presented in the figures published in the 'Knife Crime Sentencing—Quarterly brief' which are drawn from the Police National Computer. (4) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July, and August 2008. (5) Offences used:  Criminal Justice Act 1988 S.139 as amended by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 S.3 - Having an article with blade or point in public place Criminal Justice Act 1988 S.139A (1) & (5)(a) added by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 S.4(1) - Having an article with blade or point on school premises (6) Offences used: Knives Act 1997 S.1 - Sell, hire, offer or posses knife in manner indicating/suggesting suitability for combat or stimulate/encourage violent behaviour Source:  Justice Statistics Analytical Services in the Ministry of Justice

Legal Opinion

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many times his Department sought legal advice from external counsel in (a) 2007, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) the first six months of 2011;
	(2)  what the cost was of (a) internal and (b) external legal advice commissioned by his Department in the first six months of 2011;
	(3)  how much his Department spent on (a) legal advice and (b) instructing counsel in (i) 2007, (ii) 2009, (iii) 2010 and (iv) the first six months of 2011; how many times (A) his Department was taken to court and (B) a decision taken by his Department was subject to a judicial review; and what the outcome was of each such (1) case and (2) review.

Jonathan Djanogly: The information is as follows:
	(1) When seeking legal advice from external counsel the Ministry of Justice follows guidance from the Attorney-General and Treasury Solicitors:
	http://www.tsol.gov.uk/attorney_generals_ panel_of_counsel.htm
	The Department does not keep a central record regarding the number of times legal advice is sought from external counsel and it would not be possible to differentiate between advice and representation costs without manually sifting through records and invoices for the periods above, to do so would incur disproportionate costs
	(2) (a) The cost of supplying internal legal advice is not measured by the Department. All MOJ headquarter lawyers provide advice to different parts of the Department including the Secretary of State and Ministers as required.
	(b) The Ministry of Justice publishes information on its total legal spend in its Business Plan quarterly data summaries (QDS) in accordance with commitments made at Budget 2011 and the written ministerial statement on business plans. The purpose of the QDS data is to make more management information available to the public. The QDS provide a quarterly snapshot on how each Department is spending its budget. This information can be found on the Justice website at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/transparency-data/quarterly-data-summaries.htm
	Information that is currently available on the Justice website shows that for January to March 2011, the Department's total corporate legal spend was c £8.3 million of which c £1.3 million was internal legal staff costs, the rest was external spend and includes advice and representation.
	For the period April to June 2011 the Department's total corporate legal spend was c £5.9 million of which c £1.3 million were internal legal staff costs; the rest was external spend and includes advice and representation. Data for July to September are not yet available.
	The figures above include costs for litigation and advice; the information is not recorded in a manner that makes extracting the cost of advice only possible.
	(3) (a) and (b) As per the answers to 78062 and 78070, the Ministry of Justice does not keep a record of how many times the Department requested legal advice and instructed counsel during the periods noted and is unable to provide a breakdown of costs in this manner as this information has not been centrally recorded. However, the external legal spend costs above do include external advice and costs for counsel. The cost of extracting this specific information would be disproportionate.
	(A) The Ministry of Justice does not keep a central record of how many times it has been taken to court and the outcome of each case. Treasury Solicitors represent the Department in its litigation but not all of the matters involve court proceedings. To extract this information for the periods requested would involve manually checking files for those years at a cost which would be disproportionate.
	(B) The Ministry of Justice does not keep a central record of how many of its decisions have been subject to judicial review and the outcome of those reviews, however Treasury Solicitors have represented the Ministry of Justice in judicial review proceedings for each year as per the following table. The outcomes of those reviews are not recorded centrally and cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.
	
		
			  Number 
			 2007-08 721 
			 2008-09 892 
			 2009-10 1,279 
			 2010-11 1,388 
			 2010-11 (April to June) 820

Magistrates Courts: Rural Areas

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  which areas are defined rural for the purposes of resource allocation for magistrates' court services; and whether he plans to review those areas;
	(2)  what criteria his Department uses to determine whether areas should receive additional resources for magistrates' court services in recognition of the distance between workplaces.

Jonathan Djanogly: For the purposes of resource allocation for magistrates court services there is no set definition of rural areas. Resources are allocated on the principle of work load.
	The Courts Estates Reforms Programme has been established to review the condition and utilisation of HM Courts and Tribunals Service estate. The programme has proposed some magistrate courts that could be closed, resulting in improved utilisation across other magistrates courts in England and Wales, while maintaining access to justice in the remaining courts left open.
	If magistrates work load is conducted in a more rural court location, part of the allocation recognises funding for magistrates travel expenses. Additional resources for funding expense are triggered by distance.

Offenders: Ex-servicemen

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what information his Department holds on the number of people (a) in prison, (b) on parole and (c) subject to a community order who (i) had formerly been and (ii) are members of the armed forces.

Crispin Blunt: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave on 25 October 2011, Official Report, column 155W, to the hon. Member for Wigan (Lisa Nandy). No information is held centrally by the Ministry of Justice on those who might be current serving members of the armed forces.

Offenders: Rehabilitation

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the effect of the level of the prison population on the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes in prisons.

Crispin Blunt: Despite pressure from population increase and resource constraints a broad range of rehabilitation services and interventions continue to be delivered and staff across prisons and probation are working with partners to reduce reoffending and make our communities safer.
	While we are committed to evidence-based commissioning to ensure that resources are targeted as effectively as possible to continue to deliver improved outcomes for offenders and victims, my assessment is that a lower level of prison population would make the available rehabilitation programmes more effective.

Prisons: Private Sector

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what factors arose between the publication of the Principles of Competition document in November 2009 and that of Principles of Competition document in August 2010 which led to an increase in add on costs for the competition for HMP Birmingham, Buckley Hall, Featherstone 2 and Wellingborough.

Crispin Blunt: The main difference between the November 2009 and August 2010 versions of the Principles of Competition is that the former version set out the general principles as to how mark-ups would be applied rather than the specific amounts that appear in the later version. For example, the November 2009 version provides a formula that would be used to calculate the allocation of indirect costs whereas the August 2010 version states a specific percentage of 6.5%. The August version was necessary both to provide this specific detail and to use the most up-to-date figures available prior to bidders completing their pricing submissions.

Reoffenders

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of offenders leaving prison re-offended within (a) one, (b) two and (c) three years of release in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: The proven re-offending rate for adults who re-offended within one year of their release from prison between January and December 2009 is 46.8%.
	Proven re-offending is defined as any offence committed in a one year follow-up period and receiving a court conviction, caution, reprimand or warning in the one year follow up. Following this one year period, a further six months is allowed for cases to progress through the courts.
	In response to a consultation in late 2010 and early 2011 by the Ministry of Justice, proven re-offending rates using a two year follow up period will be published in the next Compendium of Re-offending in May 2012.
	Proven re-offending rates using a three year follow up period are not available.

Reparation by Offenders

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the communication needs of defendants or witnesses during the restorative justice process; and what steps he is taking to support such needs.

Crispin Blunt: We have not undertaken a specific assessment of the communication needs of defendants or witnesses involved in restorative justice processes.
	However, in cases in which restorative justice is undertaken either following, or prior to sentencing, trained practitioners will assess the ability for both parties to fully and willingly participate in the process and provide support and reasonable adjustments to ensure processes can proceed where appropriate.
	In addition, in all cases which proceed to court (including those involving restorative justice pre or post-sentence), appropriate support services are available at court to defendants or witnesses with communication needs. For example, the provision of foreign language interpreters, British Sign Language interpreters, hearing loop systems and Braille signage. Visits to courts are also available to witnesses to enable them to familiarise themselves prior to court hearings. In accordance with legislation (Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999), intermediaries are also available to those assessed as requiring assistance in their communication. Court staff, judiciary, prison and probation officers receive equality and diversity training to adequately support those people with communication needs.
	A witness would be unlikely to be involved in restorative justice unless they were also the victim of the crime or significantly affected in some way by the crime committed, as restorative justice involves offenders making direct amends to the person or persons affected as a consequence of their actions.

Terrorism: British Nationals Abroad

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to implement the provisions of the Crime and Security Act 2010 relating to compensation for victims of terrorism overseas; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: The issue of compensation for victims of terrorism overseas is being considered alongside the Government's review of victims' services and compensation, at the conclusion of which we will publish a consultation document. We plan to make an announcement on victims of terrorism overseas at the same time as we launch the consultation.

Theft: Metals

Robert Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many scrap metal merchants have been charged and convicted with receiving stolen goods in each of the last two years.

Crispin Blunt: The Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database holds information on defendants proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences in England and Wales. Other than where specified in the statute this information does not include the circumstances of each case. It is therefore not possible to identify the defendant's occupation (such as scrap metal merchants) from this centrally held data.
	Charging information is not collated centrally by the Ministry of Justice.

SCOTLAND

Adam Werritty

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether (a) he, (b) officials of his Department and (c) special advisers in his Department have met Mr Adam Werritty on official business since May 2010; and how many such meetings took place (i) on his Department's premises and (ii) elsewhere.

David Mundell: There have been no such meetings with Mr Adam Werritty.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 his Department has received in each month since May 2010; how many responses given in each such month disclosed (a) the full information requested, (b) part of the information requested, with some information withheld under exemptions in the Act and (c) none of the information requested; and in respect of how many requests received in each such month (i) (A) substantive and (B) holding responses were issued within 20 working days of the date of receipt, (ii) no substantive response was issued within 40 working days of the date of receipt and (iii) no substantive response has yet been issued.

David Mundell: Statistics on handling of requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act by over 40 central Government bodies, including all Departments of State are available at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/foi/implementation-editions.htm
	The annual statistics cover the implementation and operation of the Act 2000 in central Government. The publication draws together the quarterly statistics for the year and analyses the longer term trends. Figures are derived from manual returns submitted by participating bodies, and cover timeliness of responses, outcomes of requests, and use of the appeal process.
	The following table does not include figures beyond June 2011 as to do so would pre-empt the publication of statistics for quarters three and four of 2011. Statistics on the time taken to respond to cases over 20 working days for 2011 will be published in the annual report.
	
		
			   Responses issued In respect of requests received each month 
			 Month FOI requests received (a) Granted in full (b) Partly withheld (c) Fully withheld (i) (A) substantive response issued within 20 working days of receipt (i) (B) Holding response issued within 20 working days of receipt (ii) No substantive response issued within 40 working days of receipt (iii) No substantive response has yet been issued 
			 2010         
			 May 9 3 1 1 8 1 0 0 
			 June 16 8 1 2 13 2 1 0 
			 July 16 6 2 2 14 0 2 0 
			 August 6 6 0 0 6 0 0 0 
			 September 12 3 0 7 12 0 0 0 
			 October 20 5 0 12 20 0 0 0 
			 November 23 9 7 1 19 4 0 0 
			 December 4 ? 0 0 4 0 0 0 
			          
			 2011         
			 January 3 2 0 0 3 0 (1)— (1)— 
			 February 13 8 3 0 12 1 (1)— (1)— 
			 March 2 1 0 0 2 0 (1)— (1)— 
			 April 12 7 3 0 10 2 (1)— (1)— 
			 May 10 6 1 0 9 0 (1)— (1)— 
			 June 32 13 4 2 30 2 (1)— (1)— 
			 (1) Not yet published

Departmental Freedom of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in respect of how many responses to requests for information received by his Department under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the reason of (a) commercially sensitive information, (b) information not held, (c) information too costly to provide and (d) vexatious or repeated requests has been given in response since January 2010.

David Mundell: Statistics on handling of requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act by over 40 central Government bodies, including all Departments of State are available at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/foi/implementation.htm
	The annual statistics cover the implementation and operation of the Act 2000 in central Government. The publication draws together the quarterly statistics for the year and analyses the longer-term trends. Figures are derived from manual returns submitted by participating bodies, and cover timeliness of responses, outcomes of requests and use of the appeal process.
	The following table does not include figures beyond June 2011 as to do so would pre-empt the publication of statistics for quarters 3 and 4 of 2011.
	
		
			  Outcomes 
			  (a) S43 commercial interests (b) Information not held (c) Exceeds £600 limit (d) Vexatious or repeated requests 
			 2010     
			 January 0 3 0 0 
			 February 0 3 1 0 
			 March 0 2 1 0 
			 April 0 1 0 0 
			 May 0 4 0 0 
			 June 0 3 0 0 
			 July 0 3 1 0 
			 August 0 0 0 0 
			 September 0 2 0 0 
			 October 0 3 0 0 
			 November 0 8 0 0 
			 December 0 1 0 0 
			      
			 2011     
			 January 0 0 0 0 
			 February 0 2 0 0 
			 March 0 1 0 0 
			 April 0 0 0 0 
			 May 0 2 0 0 
			 June 0 7 2 0

Departmental Freedom of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which Minister in his Department is responsible for determining whether exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 should apply to responses to requests for information made under the Act; and which other Minister is responsible for making such determinations should the subject matter of the request fall within the ministerial responsibilities of the Minister with lead responsibility.

David Mundell: Scotland Office officials would normally determine whether exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 should apply to responses to requests for information under the Act. However, the exemption under section 36, prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs, can only apply if it is the reasonable opinion of a qualified person that the exemption applies. In relation to information held by the Scotland Office, the qualified person must be a Minister. This is normally the Secretary of State for Scotland, the right hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore), but either Minister may act as the qualified person regardless of where responsibility for the subject matter of the request lies.

EDUCATION

Adoption

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the (a) proportion and (b) number of failed adoption placements were in each local authority area in England in each of the last five years.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 31 October 2011
	Information on the number of adoptive placements which fail following the granting on an adoption order is not collected centrally.
	Information is available on the outcomes of children placed for adoption at 31 March 2007. This is published as part of the Adoption and Special Guardianship data pack. This shows that 5% of children placed for adoption at 31 March 2007 had not been adopted three years later. The Adoption and Special Guardianship data pack can be found at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/families/adoption/a0076713/datapack
	To produce this information for years other than 2007 would incur disproportionate cost. Due to the low numbers of children involved information at local authority level could not be produced.

Adoption

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funding his Department has provided to (a) the Coram Foundation and (b) Barnardo's to support local authorities in improving their adoption outcomes in each of the last five years; and how much his Department plans to provide to each organisation for these purposes in each year of the comprehensive spending review period.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 3 November 2011
	The Department for Education is funding Barnardo's in partnership with the Coram Foundation for two years from 1 April 2011 to engage with 24 local authorities to help them improve adoption outcomes for children and the local authorities' adoption services.
	£291,000 has been awarded for the first year. An indicative grant, also of £291,000 for 2012-13 is subject to parliamentary approval and successful delivery by Barnado's and the Coram Foundation of agreed grant funded activities.
	The spending review 2010 is due to be examined at the mid-point. We have yet to allocate funding beyond 2012-13 (even on an indicative basis) as to do so could prejudice the outcomes of that review.
	Neither organisation has received funding from the Department for Education (or its predecessor Department) in the five years prior to 2011 to support local authorities improve their adoption outcomes.

Adoption

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which local authorities he assesses as needing to make more effective use of the Adoption Register.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 3 November 2011
	Data from the Adoption Register shows that almost all local authorities in England use the register to find families for children in need of adoption. The challenge is to ensure that all local authorities refer all relevant children in need of adoption and approved prospective adopters to the register in good time.
	In January I approved funding for a one-year pilot project, led by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering, to gain a better understanding of how the register is being used, and how matching decisions are made at local level in relation to specific children. Findings from this project will inform my thinking on how the role of the register might be developed.

Adoption

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funding his Department has provided to the British Association for Adoption and Fostering to promote adoption in each of the last five years; and how much his Department plans to provide for this purpose in each year of the Comprehensive Spending Review period.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 3 November 2011
	The Department for Education is funding the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) for two years from 1 April 2011. The grant activities include raising the profile and awareness of adoption.
	£324,000 has been awarded for the first year. An indicative grant of £299,000 for 2012-13 is subject to parliamentary approval and successful delivery by BAAF of agreed grant funded activities.
	The spending review 2010 is due to be examined at the mid-point. We have yet to allocate funding beyond 2012-13 (even on an indicative basis) as to do so could prejudice the outcomes of that review.
	In addition to funding for the Adoption Register and Independent Review Mechanism, BAAF has received adoption-related funding from the Department for Education (and its predecessor Department) in each of the last five years as set out in the following table. Some of this funding was for raising the profile and awareness of adoption.
	
		
			  £ 
			 2006-07 240,000 
			 2007-08 270,571 
			 2008-09 278,088 
			 2009-10 285,831 
			 2010-11 285,831

Adoption

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what statistical assessment he has undertaken to inform the Government's strategy on adoption from care;
	(2)  what target he has set for the number of additional adoptions from care to satisfy the Government's objective of more children in care being adopted;
	(3)  what the evidential basis is for the Government's view that children currently leaving care to residency orders and special guardianship orders should instead be adopted.

Tim Loughton: The Department's data on adoption show significant local variations in the number of adoptions from care and in the timeliness of adoptive placements. The new Children in Care and Adoption Performance Tables help local authorities to compare their performance with other authorities and identify where improvements are urgently needed. They do not include targets. I want to see more children in care adopted where this is in their best interests, and I want to speed up the system so that they are adopted at a younger age. However, the child's welfare must always be the paramount consideration for local authorities when considering the most appropriate route to permanence for a child who cannot live with his or her birth parents. In some cases, a special guardianship order or a residence order may be more appropriate than adoption, for example where an older child does not wish to sever their legal ties with their birth parents.

Adoption

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of looked-after children were (a) identified for adoption and (b) placed for adoption by each local authority in England in each of the last five years.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 31 October 2011
	Information on the number of children for whom the decision has been made that they should be placed for adoption was published in 2010 as Table E4 of the Statistical First Release, Children Looked After by Local Authorities in England (including adoption and care leavers)—year ending 31 March 2010. Table E4 shows information at national level. This information was collected for the first time in 2009. It is available via the Release's web page at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000960/index.shtml
	Information on the percentage of children placed for adoption in each local authority area was published as table LAA3 of the same publication.
	This information will be updated for 2011 on 30 November 2011. It will take the form of two additional tables, Table E4: Children for whom the local authority has reversed the decision that the child should be placed for adoption during the year ending 31 March, and Table LAA3: Children looked after at 31 March by placement, by local authority. These will follow the recent Statistical release, Children Looked After by Local Authorities in England (including adoption and care leavers)—year ending 31 March 2011. The tables will be available on-the Release's web page at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/researchandstatistics/statistics/statistics-by-topic/childrenandfamilies/a00196857/children-looked-after-by-las-in-england
	Although Table E4 will be at national level in this publication we will also place a local authority level table in the House Libraries.

Children in Care

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of care leavers from each local authority in England (a) were not in education, employment or training, (b) had commenced an apprenticeship and (c) entered higher education in each of the last five years.

Tim Loughton: Information on the activity of care leavers from each local authority in England in each of the last five years is contained in the Statistical First Release, Children Looked After by Local Authorities in England (including adoption and care leavers)—year ending 31 March 2011. This was published on 28 September 2011, information on the activity of care leavers can be found in table LAF1, a coy of this has been placed in the House Libraries. The information can also be found under the Excel link “Local Authority summary tables” on the release’s web page at
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001026/index.shtml
	Table LAF1 shows the number and proportion of children who are (a) not in education, employment or training and (c) in higher education. Information on apprenticeships (b) is not collected for care leavers.

Class Sizes

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what the ratio of pupils to all full-time equivalent staff was in primary schools in (a) 1981, (b) 1997 and (c) the most recent year for which data are available;
	(2)  what the pupil-teacher ratio was in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in (i) 1981, (ii) 1997 and (iii) the most recent year for which figures are available;
	(3)  what the average pupil to teacher ratio was in secondary schools in England in 1981.

Nick Gibb: The following table provides the pupil:teacher and pupil:adult ratios in local authority maintained primary and secondary schools in England for 1981, 1997 and 2010.
	
		
			 Pupil:teacher ratios  (1, 2)   in local authority maintained primary and secondary schools. Years: January 1981  (3)  , 1997  (3)  , 2010  (3)   and November 2010  (4)  . Coverage: England 
			  Pupil:teacher ratio Pupil:adult ratio 
			  Primary Secondary Primary Secondary 
			 January 1981 22.6 16.6 n/a n/a 
			 January 1997 23.4 16.7 17.9 14.5 
			 January 2010 21.3 15.7 11.4 10.4 
			 November 2010(5) 20.9 15.6 n/a n/a 
			 n/a = Not available. (1) The within-school PTR is calculated by dividing the total FTE number of pupils on roll in schools by the total FTE number of qualified teachers regularly employed in schools. (2) For statistical purposes only, pupils who do not attend both morning and afternoon at least five days a week are regarded as part-time. Each part-time pupil is treated as 0.5 FTE. (3) Source—School Census. (4) Source—PTRs: School Census (Pupils), School Workforce Census (FTE qualified teachers). PARS: School Census (Pupils and FTE all teachers and support staff employed in schools excluding administrative and clerical staff). (5) November 2010 figures are calculated using the most current figures eg January 2011 pupil numbers and November 2010 teacher numbers. Previous years are calculated using January figures for both pupils and teachers.

Departmental Consultants

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many full-time equivalent staff are employed on consultancy contracts in his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 31 October 2011
	To get information on the number of full-time equivalent staff employed on consultancy contracts in the Department could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, I can tell you that as a result of spending controls introduced into the Department in 2010, consultancy spend fell by 76% in the first six months of 2011/12 compared to the same period in 2010/11 and continues to fall.

Departmental Lost Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether his Department has lost any (a) computers, (b) mobile phones, (c) BlackBerrys and (d) other IT equipment since May 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: A breakdown of reported lost or stolen IT equipment from the Department for Education in the 18 month period from 1 May 2010 to 27 October 2011 is provided as follows. Figures for the previous 18 months are also given for comparison.
	
		
			  From 1 May 2010 to 27 October 2011 From 1 January 2009 to 30 April 2010 
			  Lost Stolen Total Lost Stolen Total 
			 Laptop computers 0 7 7 2 5 7 
			 Mobile phone 3 0 3 1 0 1 
			 BlackBerry 11 8 19 14 9 23 
			 Memory Stick 10 0 10 3 0 3 
			 Signify Token 4 0 4 0 0 0 
			 Total 28 15 43 20 14 34

Departmental Press: Subscriptions

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department spent on newspapers, periodicals and trade profession magazines in 2010-11.

Tim Loughton: Based on its financial systems, the Department spent £67,365 on newspapers periodicals and trade professions magazines in 2010-11. This is a significant reduction when compared to spend of £92,917 in 2009-10, £123,951 in 2008-09 and £123,836 in 2007-08.

Departmental Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what level of security vetting is required for the post of (a) head of communications, (b) deputy head of communications and (c) head of press office in his Department; and if he will list each person who has held these posts since May 2010;
	(2)  what level of security vetting is required for (a) grade six and seven, or equivalent, press officers and (b) ministerial private secretaries in his Department;
	(3)  what level of security vetting is required for (a) special advisers and (b) Ministerial-appointed policy advisers in his Department; and if he will list each person who has held these posts since May 2010.

Tim Loughton: Information on levels of security vetting is available in HMG Personnel Security Controls booklet on the Cabinet Office website:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/hmg-personnel-security-controls
	This booklet describes the circumstances in which a post may require the holder to be the subject of national security vetting checks. It would not be appropriate to confirm which specific posts within a department are the subject of vetting, as this could highlight who within a department has access to sensitive material and be used for targeting purposes.
	The names of special advisers are published quarterly by Cabinet Office and can be found at the following link:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/special-adviser-data-releases

Departmental Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many people were in possession of a security pass for his main departmental headquarters, including multi-site headquarters and not including staff or contractors, in each month since May 2010.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education confirms that no security passes have been allocated at its main headquarter buildings in Darlington, London, Runcorn or Sheffield to non-DFE staff or contractors for the period from May 2010 to October 2011.

English Baccalaureate

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the potential effects of the introduction of the English Baccalaureate on the take-up of subjects not included in its scope.

Nick Gibb: The Department has commissioned research on the impact of the English Baccalaureate which suggests that schools and pupils are making sensible GCSE subject choices. The survey, carried out with nearly 700 schools, suggests that English Baccalaureate subjects are being opened up to many more pupils, reversing declines in entries to languages, history and geography. It also indicates that more than half of the pupils who were starting key stage 4 from September have chosen to follow a set of subjects which will not lead to the English Baccalaureate. We will continue to monitor the impact of the English Baccalaureate on other subjects, including through review of GCSE entries in 2012.
	We will also be opening up access to datasets which will enable parents and others to carry out their own assessment of schools' success in the areas they are interested in; this will allow them to monitor performance in subjects not included in the English Baccalaureate.

English Baccalaureate: Chinese Language

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether Chinese will be included as a Modern Foreign Language option in the English Baccalaureate.

Nick Gibb: All full course GCSEs and AS Levels in Chinese which are regulated by Ofqual and currently available can be taken by pupils as part of the English Baccalaureate. These qualifications are:
	AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE in Chinese (Mandarin) (500/4491/6)
	Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE in Chinese (500/4672/X)
	Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Chinese (500/2666/5).

GCSE

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education in how many secondary schools over 80 per cent. of children achieved at least five GCSEs at A* to C, including English and mathematics.

Nick Gibb: In 2010, there were 576 secondary schools in which over 80% of pupils at the end of key stage 4 achieved at least five GCSEs at grades A* to C or equivalent including English and mathematics. This includes both state-funded and independent secondary schools. Only iGCSEs that have been approved for use in maintained schools are included in this measure.
	Schools with 10 or fewer pupils at the end of key stage 4 are excluded.
	Source:
	Secondary School Performance Tables.

Music: Education

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department has taken following the review of music education to (a) maximise the benefits of music education in schools and (b) support schools to manage budgets for music education and maximise value for money since March 2011.

Nick Gibb: We will shortly publish a National Plan for Music Education, which will reform the delivery and funding of music education. It will ensure that all pupils have the opportunity to learn an instrument, learn to sing, have opportunities to play in ensembles and have access to musical progression routes regardless of where they live and their family circumstances. The needs of the pupil will be at the heart of the plan. Through it, the Government will signal their commitment to ensuring that all pupils have access to high quality music education.

New Schools Network

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many employees of his Department have previously worked for New Schools Network.

Tim Loughton: The Department does not keep a record of its employee's previous employment history.

Pupils: Bullying

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education with reference to page 8 of his Department's guidance, Preventing and Tackling Bullying Advice for School Leaders, staff and Governing Bodies, when he plans to update the website to provide links to further information and organisations on transgender and other issues; and if he will add the Gender Identity Research and Education Society to the organisations listed under LGBT in the guidance and insert a link to the society's guidance on assisting schools to combat transphobic bullying.

Nick Gibb: This Government are committed to tackling bullying of all forms, particularly prejudice-based bullying. We want to support schools to deal effectively with bullying, while also reducing bureaucratic burdens and the amount of guidance from central Government. One of the aims of the anti-bullying advice is to signpost schools to key specialist organisations who could provide further advice and support. In doing so, we cannot list every organisation. We have listed those that we believe will be useful for the greatest number of schools. Transphobic bullying is an issue which directly affects a relatively small number of schools, so we have not included any organisations which specialise in that issue. GIRES is, however, a member of the Anti-Bullying Alliance—an umbrella organisation listed in our guidance. If schools identify transgender-related bullying issues, the ABA can signpost them in turn to GIRES or another specialist transgender organisation.

Schools: Assessments

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answers of 5 September 2011, Official Report, column 315W, on schools: assessment, 20 July 2001, official report, column 2015W, on CSE and 20 July 2011, Official Report, column 1024W, on GCE O-level, what information his Department holds on (a) subjects studied and (b) examinations taken in secondary schools prior to the introduction of GCSEs.

Nick Gibb: Until 1988, the attainment of school leavers was assessed via a survey which was sent to all secondary schools in England with pupils of school leaving age (excluding special schools, independent schools and international schools). The results were published in the report "Statistics of Education: School Leavers, CSE and GCE".
	These reports contain a range of statistics covering examination attempts and achievements by gender, type of school and subject groupings; and the destinations of school leavers. These reports are available in the House Libraries.

Schools: Dogs

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2011, Official Report, column 1174W, on schools: dogs, whether his Department has a policy on allowing dogs into school classrooms where children or teachers with allergic conditions may be present.

Nick Gibb: Allowing, or disallowing, dogs into classrooms or, indeed, any parts of a school where pupils or staff with allergies may be present, is for schools to determine. The Department for Education does not have a specific policy on this. There could be good reasons to have dogs or other animals in school, for instance to support the teaching of biology, the study of life and living organisms. As I stated in my answer of 21 October 2011, Official Report, column 1174W, we would expect schools to take common sense steps to protect the health and safety of all in the school. Detailed advice on the care of animals in school and of people who may come into contact with them is provided by the Consortium of Local Authorities Provision of Science Services via their helpline on 01895 251496 or the following website:
	http://www.cleapss.org.uk/

Schools: ICT

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he plans to take to promote the use of new technology in schools to assist with teaching and learning.

Nick Gibb: Schools are best placed to make decisions on how to use technology to support good teaching and help raise educational standards. The role of Government is to encourage schools to take better advantage of opportunities presented by digital technologies to engage pupils, improve teaching and deliver education more effectively, but not seek to micromanage how they do this. The Department is already working to ensure schools achieve value for money when purchasing technology through the development of procurement frameworks, national pricing agreements and other mechanisms. We are also working with industry to agree data standards for educational systems. Information and communications technology within the national curriculum will be considered as part of the national curriculum review

Schools: ICT

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funds are available to schools that wish to invest in new technology to assist with teaching and learning.

Nick Gibb: Schools are best placed to make decisions about how to use the resources available to them—including technology. They have the freedom to select and purchase technology and services to meet their needs from their revenue funding under the Dedicated Schools Grant and their Devolved Formula Capital funding. The Department provides support for achieving best value in purchasing technology through its national procurement arrangements.

Schools: ICT

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what discussions he has had with representatives of (a) schools and (b) the technology sector on opportunities for schools to invest in new technologies to assist with teaching and learning.

Nick Gibb: The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), and Ministers regularly meet with industry and school representatives. The Department has held a number of meetings with interested parties around technology in schools including industry bodies such as the British Educational Suppliers Association and Intellect, individual companies, school leaders, and head teacher unions.

Social Enterprises

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what discussions he has had about promoting social enterprises within his Department's area of responsibility in each month since May 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Sarah Teather: holding answer 27 October 2011
	The information requested is not collated centrally and to collect it would incur disproportionate cost. However, this Department supports social enterprises in a range of ways: for example, we are funding our voluntary sector strategic partners, which include Social Enterprise UK as consortia members, to build capacity in the sector and to strengthen a social enterprise approach.

Teachers

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the turnover of teaching staff in maintained secondary schools with (a) high numbers of children eligible for free school meals and (b) low numbers of children eligible for free school meals;
	(2)  what proportion of teachers in maintained secondary schools with (a) more than 20 per cent. and (b) fewer than 10 per cent. of children eligible for free school meals hold a degree in each degree class.

Nick Gibb: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Teachers: Pensions

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education for what reason his Department has not carried out a valuation of the Teachers' Pension Scheme since 2007; what legal requirement there is to carry out such a valuation; and on what his Department's estimate of the affordability of such a scheme can be made in the absence of a recent valuation.

Nick Gibb: The Government put valuations of the public service pension schemes on hold while the consultation on the discount rate used to calculate contribution rates was taking place. The outcome of the consultation was announced in Budget 2011, but valuations remain on hold. Valuations are dependent on assumptions about the value of future costs, design of benefits and other factors. Many of these are currently under review as part of the Government's proposed reforms of the public sector pension schemes. The Teachers' Pensions Regulations 2010 require the scheme's actuary to carry out a valuation of the scheme at intervals of no more than four years but the actuary cannot do so until the Department and HM Treasury have set out the funding methodology, which will not be determined until the future structure of the pension scheme is clear.
	Although valuations have not been carried out for any public sector schemes, the costs of the Government's proposed reforms of public sector pension schemes have been calculated by the Government Actuary's Department using data and assumptions that have been shared and discussed with unions.

Teachers: Pensions

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the number of teachers likely to opt out of the Teachers’ Pension scheme, if contributions rise to 9.8% of salary; what estimate he has made of the proportion of contributors to that scheme who must continue to participate in order to prevent it ceasing to be viable; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: At the spending review, the Office for Budget Responsibility assumed that some additional members, amounting to 1% of the value of the paybill, would opt-out of all the public service schemes as a result of the proposed increase in pension contributions.
	The Department is currently considering responses to its consultation on the proposed increase to contributions for members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), which sought views of consultees on how the contributions increase could be implemented in a way that delivered the Government’s commitment to minimise the number of teachers opting out of the scheme. The Government believe that the rate of opt-out from the TPS will remain very low following the increase in pension contributions and that it will not threaten the viability of the scheme.

Teachers: Pensions

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the evidential basis is for his Department’s assessment that the Teachers’ Pension Scheme has become unaffordable since the 2007 settlement.

Nick Gibb: The Independent Public Service Pensions Commission, chaired by Lord Hutton, was invited by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, my right hon. Friend the Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Danny Alexander), to conduct a fundamental structural review of public service pension provision and to make recommendations on pension arrangements that are sustainable and affordable in the long term, fair to both the public service work force and the taxpayer and consistent with the fiscal challenges ahead, while protecting accrued rights.
	In making his recommendations on pension reform, Lord Hutton considered the reforms already made to the public service pension schemes—in 2007 in the case of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme—and while he acknowledged that savings had been achieved, he pointed out that the cost of public service pensions had increased by around a third because of longer life expectancy over the last 50 years. As a result, cash expenditure on paying pensions to public service pensioners had increased to £32 billion over the last decade. Against this background, Lord Hutton concluded that there is a clear case for further reform of public service pension schemes, including the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

Teachers: Pensions

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the number of teachers who will cease making pension contributions following the planned increase in contributions.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 31 October 2011
	At the spending review, the Office for Budget Responsibility estimated that some additional members, amounting to 1% of the value of the paybill, would opt-out of all the public service schemes as a result of the proposed increase in pension contributions.
	A consultation on the proposed increase to contributions for members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme in 2012-13 was recently concluded and the Department is considering all responses received prior to the deadline. The Government are committed to implementing the contributions increase in a way which will protect the lower paid from the full impact of the changes and will therefore reduce the risk of increased opt-outs from the scheme.

Teachers: Pensions

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to publish a valuation of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 1 November 2011
	The Government put valuations of the public service pension schemes on hold while the consultation on the discount rate used to calculate contribution rates was taking place. The outcome of the consultation was announced in Budget 2011, however, valuations remain on hold. Valuations are dependent on assumptions about the value of future costs, design of benefits and other factors. Many of these are currently under review as part of discussions on implementing Lord Hutton’s proposals. A decision on when to undertake the next valuation of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme will be taken in due course.

Teachers: Pensions

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he expects the valuation of the Teachers' Pension Scheme to be published.

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will undertake and publish a full economic valuation of the Teachers' Pension Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: The Government put valuations of the public service pension schemes on hold while the consultation on the discount rate used to calculate contribution rates was taking place. The outcome of the consultation was announced in Budget 2011, but valuations remain on hold. Valuations are dependent on assumptions about the value of future costs, design of benefits and other factors. Many of these are currently under review as part of the Government's proposed reforms of the public sector pension schemes. A decision on when to undertake the next valuation of the Teachers' Pension Scheme will be taken in due course.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Knife Crime

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the level of knife crime.

Nick Herbert: In the 12 months to June 2011, data collected by police forces in England and Wales indicate that 7% of relevant violent offences involved the use of a knife or a sharp instrument.

Net Migration

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress she is making in reducing net migration.

Damian Green: We are committed to reducing net migration to the levels of the 1990s—tens of thousands, not hundreds of thousands.
	We have already introduced an annual limit on the number of non-EU workers; overhauled the student route; and increased enforcement activity.
	As the right hon. Gentleman recognised in an article last week, the next steps are to break the link between temporary and permanent migration by restricting settlement rights and to tighten rules on family migration.

Anti-Semitism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department has taken to combat anti-Semitism since July 2010; and if she will make a statement. [R]

Andrew Stunell: I have been asked to reply.
	The cross-Government working group on anti-Semitism co-ordinates all Government's work on this issue. The Government's latest response is the ‘Three Years on Progress Report’, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.
	More recently the working group has focused on addressing hate material on the internet and anti-Semitism and political tensions on campus.

Antisocial Behaviour

Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to publish her Department’s response to its consultation, More effective responses to antisocial behaviour.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has received over 1,000 written responses to the consultation from the police and other front-line professionals, members of the judiciary, local authorities, interest groups and members of the public. We want to ensure that our proposals reflect that wealth of knowledge and expertise, and will publish our response in due course.

Antisocial Behaviour

Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations she has received from police constables on increasing police powers to deal with individuals who are causing antisocial behaviour.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office regularly receives representations from police constables and other front-line professionals on the need for more effective powers to tackle antisocial behaviour.

Cannabis

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has any plans to decriminalise high THC cannabis (a) use and (b) production; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: We have no plans to decriminalise cannabis or any other drug subject to control under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Civil Disorder

David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) level 1 and (b) level 2 trained public order officers were available to the Metropolitan police in each year from 1999 to the latest year for which figures are available.

Nick Herbert: Information on the number of level 1 and level 2 public order trained police officers is not collected centrally by the Home Office. Level 1 and level 2 training is a local resource management issue for chief constables working with their police authorities and, from November 2012, their elected police and crime commissioners (PCCs).

Civil Disorder

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were (a) arrested at the scene and (b) arrested at a later stage in connection with the public disorder of August 2011.

Nick Herbert: This information is not held centrally.

Deportation: Offenders

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the report by the Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency entitled A thematic inspection of how the UK Border Agency manages foreign national prisoners, what steps she is taking to reduce the number of immigration detainees held for over 12 months.

Damian Green: The majority of immigration detainees held for more than 12 months are foreign national offenders who are liable to be deported from the United Kingdom. There is no presumption to detain in such cases and our powers only allow us to detain for as long as there is a realistic prospect of removal within a reasonable timescale. Our policy does however take into account the imperative to protect the public from foreign nationals who have offended in the UK and are liable to deportation. For this reason, proximity of removal, risk of reoffending (based on National Offender Management Service assessments) and risk of absconding are all taken into account at the point at which the detention decision is made.
	The courts have found that it may be lawful to prolong detention in cases where there is a risk to the public, a risk of the person absconding, or where the individual's own lack of co-operation is a determinative factor preventing removal. We do however review detention every 28 days to assess whether it remains lawful and appropriate.
	We have also put in place a package of measures to improve the quality of detention decisions and documentation. For example a training package has been designed for caseworkers, focusing on the legal powers and purpose of detention, progression of cases between reviews and the personal responsibilities of case owners. The detention review template and guidance have also been revised to better support caseworkers in making evidence-based detention decisions and demonstrating progress since the last detention review.
	A review of authority levels for the detention and release of foreign national offenders is also under way.

E-mail

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any (a) Ministers, (b) officials and (c) special advisers in her Department use private e-mail accounts for the conduct of government business.

Damian Green: The Ministerial Code, the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, and the Civil Service Code set out how Ministers, officials and special advisers should conduct government business.

Entry Clearances

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on the transferability between companies of work permits for immigrants from outside the EU.

Damian Green: The work permit scheme closed to new employees in 2008. Since November 2008, migrants wishing to work here must be issued with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) by an employer who is registered with the UK Border Agency as a sponsor under tiers 2 or 5 of the points based system. CoS cannot be transferred between companies.
	Migrants from outside the EU with permission to work either under the previous work permit system or under tier 2 or 5 are able to change employer providing the new employer is registered as a sponsor with the UK Border Agency, is willing to issue the migrant with a CoS and any necessary resident labour market test has been undertaken. The migrant must apply for, and be granted, leave to remain before starting the new job.

Forensic Science Service

John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effect of the closure of the Forensic Science Service on the provision of forensic science services.

James Brokenshire: The orderly wind-down of the Forensic Science Service (FSS) has enabled a significant proportion of their work to be safely transferred to alternative forensic service providers and the transition is on schedule to complete by 31 March 2012.
	We remain confident that the orderly wind-down of FSS will ensure the police, and the criminal justice system as a whole, continue to have the forensics capability that they need to protect the public and bring criminals to justice.

Human Trafficking

Amber Rudd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many calls were received by (a) the Metropolitan police's trafficking victim helpline and (b) the UK Human Trafficking Centre's victim helpline in October 2011.

Nick Herbert: The Metropolitan police's trafficking victim helpline received one call in October 2011.
	The UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) does not have a victim helpline. The public number for the UKHTC is for all inquiries, referrals to the National Referral Mechanism and operational and tactical advice on any human trafficking related matters. A 24/7 tactical advice capability is also available from this number.

Human Trafficking

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she has taken to provide safe homes for (a) adult and (b) child victims of human trafficking.

Damian Green: We have introduced a new model for supporting adult victims of human trafficking in England and Wales, which provides accommodation and support tailored to the needs of individual victims. In its capacity as prime contractor under this new model, the Salvation Army has contracted with various organisations to deliver a range of support to meet the diverse needs of victims. This provision includes safe houses across England and Wales. Local authorities have a statutory duty under the Children Act to safeguard and promote the welfare of any child in need. Each child in local authority care is allocated a social worker who assesses their needs and draws up a care plan which sets out how the authority intends to respond to the full range of the child's needs.
	For children who may have been trafficked, the social worker's assessment should identify the child's vulnerability to the continuing control of his or her traffickers. The local authority should then place the child with a carer (foster or residential) who has the necessary skills and experience to support them in a safe environment.

Human Trafficking: Northern Ireland

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on separated and trafficked children in Northern Ireland.

Damian Green: We work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure a joined up approach to tackling human trafficking across the UK. The Northern Ireland Executive is a member of the Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group on human trafficking which brings together the devolved Administrations and key departments across government. The group provides oversight of the UK's anti-trafficking work, including implementation of the Government's human trafficking strategy and its associated actions in relation to trafficked children.

Members: Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall North of 19 September 2011 to the Prime Minister, transferred to her Department for answer, reference M17334/11.

James Brokenshire: I wrote to the hon. Member on 1 November 2011.

Nature Conservation: Crime

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mandate the National Crime Agency will have to deal with wildlife crime.

James Brokenshire: The National Crime Agency (NCA) Plan sets out the Government's plan for the scope and functionality of the NCA. The NCA Plan can be found at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/crime/nca-creation-plan

Police: Olympic Games 2012

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether police officers from forces outside London will be allowed to wear their own constabulary uniforms when policing for the London 2012 Olympics.

Nick Herbert: holding answer 3 November 2011
	General patrol officers serving outside their local force area under mutual aid arrangements will normally wear their normal uniform issued by their own force. Officers who are being used for more specialist roles will wear the appropriate clothing for that role. There are no plans to change these arrangements specifically for the policing of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.

Seized Articles: Landfill

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment her Department has made of the quantity of goods confiscated by police forces that end up in landfill.

Nick Herbert: The Department has made no such assessment.

Young Offenders: Wales

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had with Welsh Government Ministers on (a) gangs and youth violence and (b) youth crime in Wales.

James Brokenshire: I have not had any recent discussions with Welsh Government Ministers specifically on gangs, youth violence or youth crime. The focus of recent work has been with areas in England who face the greatest problems. The Government will ensure that any good practice identified is shared across England and Wales.

Young Offenders: Wales

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the oral statement of 1 November 2011, on gang-related violence, which areas in Wales she proposes will receive funding to tackle gang and youth violence; and what the overall budget is that will be devolved to the Welsh Government for this specific purpose.

James Brokenshire: The areas will be selected using a combination of serious violence measures and local intelligence about gang problems. The selection is being informed by an Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) exercise to map gangs and gang violence in forces across the country. The areas participating in the programme will be identified by the end of the year.

TRANSPORT

Airports: Weather

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment her Department has made of airport operators' preparedness for extreme winter weather conditions.

Theresa Villiers: The Government have engaged with airport operators to discuss the lessons learned from last winter’s severe weather and the measures they have put in place to improve their response to future similar events. The Civil Aviation Authority is monitoring airport operators' progress in improving their resilience.

Aviation: Security

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when she plans to publish the final Code of Practice for the Acceptable Use of Advanced Imaging Technology (Body Scanners) in an Aviation Security Environment; and whether the code will include guidance on whether passengers should be allowed to submit themselves to other forms of enhanced search if they object to the use of a full body scanner.

Theresa Villiers: In addition to the analysis of the responses to the public consultation, there is a parallel European legislative process which we need to take into consideration before our final response to the consultation is published. The Government's security scanner policy is still under consideration and we will publish the responses to the consultation and the final code of practice in due course.

Departmental Procurement

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps her Department is taking to ensure that its procurement can support domestic (a) transport manufacturing industry and (b) supply chains.

Norman Baker: An assessment of public procurement tendering is being undertaken as part of the Growth Review, which will inform how the Department can support the domestic transport manufacturing industry and the domestic supply chains. It is intended that the outcome of this assessment will be announced at the end of November.

Harbour Authorities

Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2011, Official Report, column 979W, on harbour authorities, what steps her Department takes to assess the performance of competent harbour authorities; and what process her Department would follow in the event that a competent harbour authority is found to have failed to maintain the standards required under section 3 (2) of the Pilotage Act 1987.

Michael Penning: None. Competent harbour authorities are responsible for their own performance in determining the qualifications for persons that they authorise to act as pilots within their operational area.

Harbour Authorities

Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2011, Official Report, column 978W, on harbour authorities, what meetings have been held with each competent harbour authority since May 2010; and what the purpose was of each meeting between her Department and representatives of competent harbour authorities.

Michael Penning: There are roundly 130 competent harbour authorities with whom Ministers and officials might meet in the normal course of departmental business. Therefore, I regret that the information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Motorways: Accidents

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate the Transport Research Laboratory has provided to her Department's Road Safety Division of the likely change in the number of (a) lives lost, (b) serious and (c) slight casualties which would result from increasing the motorway speed limit to 80 mph and improving compliance using average speed cameras in the last three years.

Michael Penning: holding answer 15 September 2011
	The Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) published their report ‘An evaluation of options for road safety beyond 2010’ in 2009 on their website at:
	http://www.trl.co.uk/online_store/reports_publications/trl_reports/cat_road_user_safety/report_an_evaluation _of_options_for_road_safety_beyond_2010.htm
	The Department is currently conducting a more sophisticated and comprehensive analysis of all the principal effects of raising the motorway speed limit and will include these estimates as part of the documentation for the consultation planned for later this year.

Ports

Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons she no longer issues statements when she appoints trust port board members or authorises an extension in terms for such members; and if she will make it her policy to publish such appointments until such time as the trust port concerned ceases to be her responsibility.

Michael Penning: Trust ports are independent statutory bodies and the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening), has the right to appoint board members to a number of trust ports. It is for the individual trust port to publicise such appointments.

Railways: Electricity

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what work her Department has undertaken on the costs and benefits of replacing third rail systems with overhead electrical systems.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 3 November 2011
	The Department participated in a recent cross-industry research project that assessed the costs and benefits of replacing the 750V DC third rail electrified system with a 25kV AC overhead system. A summary of the research results is available at:
	www.rssb.co.uk/sitecollectiondocuments/pdf/reports/research/T950_rb_final.pdf
	The research concluded that converting the third rail network to an overhead system would deliver a range of benefits. These include lower running costs, greater resilience to snow and ice, increased train performance and the capacity to run more services. However, the cost of such a conversion would be significant, at around £3-4 billion. Network Rail is now taking forward a more detailed assessment of the costs and benefits.

Rescue Services: Contracts

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she is taking to finalise the contract for search and rescue helicopters; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Penning: We are considering a range of potential procurement options to meet future requirements for helicopter search and rescue in the UK, and intend to make a statement on the matter before the end of the year.

Rescue Services: Contracts

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues on potential long-term procurement options for search and rescue helicopters; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Penning: Discussions between the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Defence are ongoing regarding a range of potential options to meet future requirements for helicopter search and rescue in the UK. We intend to make a statement on the matter before the end of the year.

Roads: Accidents

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether officials in her Department have had recent discussions with (a) the Home Office and (b) the Highways Agency on reducing the time taken to clear major roads following an incident; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Penning: holding answer 24 October 2011
	Officials from the Department for Transport have held recent discussions, on reducing the time taken to clear motorways following an incident, with the Home Office, the Highways Agency and representatives of the emergency services.

Shipping: Oil

Therese Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many ship-to-ship transfers have taken place within territorial waters (a) off the Southwold coast and (b) in any other harbour in the last 12 months.

Michael Penning: The total number of ship-to-ship transfers that have taken place off the Southwold coast in the last 12 months (from 24 October 2010 to 24 October 2011) was 153.
	Ship-to-ship transfers are routinely carried out in UK ports and harbours which have a suitable oil pollution emergency plan under the terms of the Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation Convention) Regulations 1998. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency does not collate statistics on that activity.

Shipping: Oil

Therese Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether her Department has reviewed its oil recovery plans in the light of the recent oil spill from the Rena off New Zealand.

Michael Penning: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency will shortly commence a review of the UK's National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution from Shipping and Offshore Installations (NCP). This periodic review will involve full consultation with UK interested parties, and will take account of lessons learnt from previous incidents in the UK and elsewhere.

Shipping: Safety

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the potential effects of a temporary disabling of the global positioning system on fishing vessels, merchant vessels and recreational boats.

Michael Penning: holding answer 13 October 2011
	The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has co-operated with Government Departments and the Trinity House Lighthouse Service in the conduct of trials to determine the effects of Global Positioning System (GPS) jamming. It was found that simple and widely available jammers can disrupt the very low strength GPS signals received in surface vessels. The loss or denial of GPS signals is normally shown to the mariner through an alarm on the equipment in use. Losing GPS position information means that the mariner must use the other means available to them to determine their position. These means vary by vessel location and the equipment carried.
	However, the Department for Transport and the MCA have not made any specific assessments of the potential effects of a temporary disabling of GPS on fishing vessels, merchant vessels and recreational boats in Scottish waters.
	Operationally, if the jamming authority informs the Department of the temporary disabling of GPS, the information is passed to Her Majesty's Coastguard who arrange for the UK Hydrographic Office to issue the appropriate radio navigation warnings to seafarers.

Social Enterprises

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions she has had on promoting social enterprises in the area for which her Department is responsible in each month since May 2010; and if she will make a statement.

Norman Baker: Ministers and officials frequently engage with the community transport sector, including the Community Transport Association (CTA), a representative body. This partnership has led to a four-year funding agreement which will see us working together to build capacity in the sector and promote a more sustainable business model.
	For example, the Department part funds the CTA's Rural Social Enterprise Programme, which is helping eight community transport organisations in rural areas to become social enterprises. The learning from this will help the wider sector become more sustainable and less reliant on grant funding.
	In March this year, I announced an additional £10 million funding package, which has been distributed to rural local authorities, with the aim of kick-starting and supporting community transport.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Departmental Legal Opinion

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many officials in his Department were working in its legal section in June 2011; and how many staff were working in the legal departments of his Department's agencies and non-departmental bodies.

Chris Grayling: Legal Services in the Department for Work and Pensions provide legal advice and services to the Department and the Department of Health, for which they are fully reimbursed.
	The total number of officials working in the Legal Services in June 2011 was 335 individuals (309.46 full-time equivalent staff). Of these 86 individuals (78.83 full-time equivalent) provide services to the Department of Health.
	The number of officials working in non-departmental bodies is 67 individuals (65.36 full-time equivalent).

Departmental Orders and Regulations

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) statutory instruments, (b) ministerial orders and (c) other pieces of secondary legislation were issued by his Department in (i) 1990, (ii) 1995, (iii) each year since 1999 and (iv) 2011 to date.

Chris Grayling: The answer to (a) and (b) is contained in the following table. Orders made by statutory instrument have been counted separately.
	
		
			  SIs issued Of which  : included   Orders: 
			 1990 81 14 
			 1995 80 20 
			 1999 89 24 
			 2000 106 20 
			 2001 107 34 
			 2002 99 28 
			 2003 95 23 
			 2004 73 17 
			 2005 164 35 
			 2006 113 36 
		
	
	
		
			 2007 87 31 
			 2008 118 42 
			 2009 94 40 
			 2010 106 35 
			 2011 (to date) 61 24 
		
	
	No records exist of secondary legislation made other than by statutory instrument for the years 1990, 1995, 1999 to date. It is believed that such pieces of secondary legislation would have been few in number.

Departmental Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what level of security vetting is required for the post of (a) head of communications, (b) deputy head of communications and (c) head of press office in his Department; and if he will list each person who has held these posts since May 2010;
	(2)  what level of security vetting is required for (a) grade six and seven, or equivalent, press officers and (b) ministerial private secretaries in his Department;
	(3)  what level of security vetting is required for (a) special advisers and (b) ministerial-appointed policy advisers in his Department; and if he will list each person who has held these posts since May 2010;
	(4)  what company or Government service is used to undertake security vetting at (a) counter terrorist check, (b) security check and (c) developed vetting level in his Department.

Chris Grayling: I refer the hon. Member to the booklet “HMG Personnel Security Controls”, available from the Cabinet Office website:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/hmg-personnel-security-controls
	This booklet describes the circumstances in which a post may require the holder to be the subject of national security vetting checks. It would not be appropriate for me to confirm which specific posts are the subject of vetting, as this could highlight who has access to sensitive material and this could be used for targeting purposes.
	A list of all special advisers is published quarterly by the Cabinet Office and is also available on the Cabinet Office website:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/special-adviser-data-releases
	In addition, DWP has appointed two temporary civil servants as expert policy advisers.
	All appropriate clearances for permanent civil servants, special advisers and expert policy advisers are undertaken in partnership with Defence Business Services National Security Vetting, formerly know as the Defence Vetting Agency.

Employment and Support Allowance

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many letters on possible changes to employment and support allowance his Department has sent out; and at what cost to the public purse.

Chris Grayling: From 19 September 2011, over a period of four weeks, the Department issued around 115,000 letters to existing claimants in receipt of contribution based employment and support allowance in the Work Related Activity Group. Activity is still ongoing to answer claimant queries resulting from this notification therefore we do not have the total costs at present but these will be made available by the end of November.

Employment and Support Allowance

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many incapacity benefit and employment and support allowance claimants there were in South West Bedfordshire constituency on the most recent date for which figures are available.

Maria Miller: The information requested is given as follows.
	
		
			 Incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance (IB/SDA) and employment and support allowance (ESA) claimants in south west Bedfordshire parliamentary constituency  ,   February 2011 
			  South West Bedfordshire   parliamentary constituency 
			 IB/SDA 2,180 
			 ESA 830 
			 Notes:  1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 10.  2, Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment and support allowance from October 2008.  3. Data includes claimants receiving credits only.  4. Constituencies used are for the Westminster Parliament 2010.  5. These data are available on the Department's Tabulation Tool at the following link:  http://83.244.183.180/100pc/tabtool.html Source:  DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

Jobcentre Plus: Merseyside

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to reduce Jobcentre (a) staff and (b) offices in Merseyside.

Chris Grayling: Focusing specifically on the Jobcentre part of DWP operations delivering local services, we announced last week our plans to close 19 small Jobcentres in the vicinity of other Jobcentres that were offering a full range of services, this did not include any Jobcentres in Merseyside. The spending review 2010 announced that DWP would deliver 26% savings in real terms from its core budget over the four year period to 2015. Operational parts of DWP, including the Jobcentre network across the country and in Merseyside, will contribute to these savings by driving up efficiency in the way it works through more use of its online services and implementing ideas that help improve processes and productivity. Where this results in the need to reduce jobs we will do this through normal turnover where possible. There are no plans above this to reduce staffing levels in Merseyside but as with other parts of the country we will continue to review workloads and staffing levels which may result in the need for staff to be flexible in how we deliver services to customers.

PAYE: Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether real time PAYE information will be collected from every firm employing staff in each local authority area prior to universal credit being rolled out as part of the third phase in his planned transition.

Chris Grayling: Practically all employers who administer PAYE will be on RTI by October 2013. Details of the migration of employers to Real Time Information (RTI) are not based on local authorities or regions.
	Employer migration focuses primarily on large employers first to achieve highest volumes. In universal credit we are working closely with HMRC to understand how they will bring employers in to RTI and as their alignment and on boarding progresses we will work together to make the best use of RTI automation opportunities to calculate universal credit.

Pensions: Teachers

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the effect of his planned change of indexation from the retail prices index to the consumer prices index on the value of the Teachers' Pension scheme; what his policy is on the continued application of the triple lock commitment to the annual updating of the basic state pension; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Webb: Next year's proposed benefit rates will be announced to Parliament by ministerial statement later in the autumn.
	Her Majesty's Treasury has responsibility for the policy and reform of public service pensions.
	The Government remain committed to the triple guarantee to increase the basic state pension the higher of growth in average earnings, prices (CPI) or 2.5% each year. This will help provide a more solid financial foundation for pensioners from the state.

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what benefits are available to support severely disabled people living independently.

Maria Miller: Disability living allowance or attendance allowance are non-means tested social security benefits which can support severely disabled people living independently depending on the conditions of entitlement being satisfied.
	Severely disabled people also have access to the means-tested income replacement benefits such as employment and support allowance, income support, incapacity benefit or job-seeker's allowance, subject to the requirements of the benefits being met.
	There are also a range of benefits that are related to entitlement to disability living allowance or attendance allowance. I have placed this information in the House of Commons Library.

Social Security Benefits

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people he expects to be affected by the introduction of a cap on the overall level of benefits in each (a) nation, (b) region, (c) local authority area and (d) parliamentary constituency.

Chris Grayling: We published an impact assessment for the introduction of the benefit cap on 16 February 2011. It can be found on the Department's website at:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/household-benefit-cap-wr2011-ia.pdf
	It estimates that, if the benefit cap were applied in full, around 50,000 households in Great Britain will have their benefits reduced by the policy. Sample sizes are too small to yield reliable results for areas smaller than the overall impacts for Great Britain.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the causes of the change in the level of benefit off-flow since May 2011; and whether he expects the level to return to its previous level.

Chris Grayling: Published figures for outflows from benefits since May 2011 are currently available only for the claimant count (jobseeker's allowance) which have followed a broadly flat trend. We continually assess all the departments employment programmes to ensure that they are working effectively.

Unemployment

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the level of long-term unemployment in (a) England, (b) the West Midlands and (c) Dudley borough.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated November 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what assessment he has made of the level of long-term unemployment in (a) England, (b) the West Midlands and (c) Dudley Borough. (78300)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. However, estimates of long-term unemployment for Dudley Borough are unavailable.
	As an alternative, in Table 1, we have provided the number of persons claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), for over 52 weeks. For consistency reasons we have also supplied data for the West Midlands and England on this basis.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
	
		
			 Table 1: Number of people  (1)   claiming jobseeker's allowance for  12 months or more resident in England, West Midlands and Dudley   b  orough in September 2011 
			  Number 
			 England 200,930 
			 West Midlands 30,250 
			 Dudley borough 2,410 
			 (1) Computerised claims only. These account for approximately 99.7% of all claims. Note: Data rounded to nearest 5 Source: Jobcentre Plus administrative system

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how he plans to determine which former recipients of working tax credit will receive universal credit before April 2014.

Chris Grayling: Where a claimant is no longer entitled to working tax credit from October 2013 and before April 2014 they will either naturally move onto universal credit or on to one of the old benefits which is being replaced by universal credit, where they meet the condition of entitlement. The benefit onto which a claimant transfers will depend on the precise plans to phase the introduction of universal credit from October 2013 and these will be announced in the spring of 2012.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the potential effects of the introduction of universal credit on the number of disabled children living in poverty.

Chris Grayling: Based on modelling using the Department for Work and Pension's Policy Simulation Model, it is estimated that universal credit will reduce the number of disabled children living in poverty. The reduction is estimated to be less than 50,000.
	This estimate should be treated with caution, due to the small sample size of this group in the Family Resources Survey.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under what budget headings has funding for the introduction of universal credit been allocated in each year of the Comprehensive Spending Review period.

Chris Grayling: The 2010 spending review settlement included funding of £2 billion for the period 2011-12 to 2014-15. This is intended to meet all the costs of introducing universal credit including any increases in benefit expenditure, additional benefit administration costs in the transition period, the costs of IT development and implementation, communications, staff training and programme management.

Universal Credit: Free School Meals

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress he has made in determining which families will be eligible for free school meals after the introduction of universal credit; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: Defining entitlement to certain passported benefits is the responsibility of other Government Departments and devolved Administrations.
	The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) has been commissioned to carry out an independent review on passported benefits on behalf of the Government. This review is still taking place and the Committee has been asked to report by the end of January 2012. The Department will publish the final report alongside our response in April.
	Free school meals are the responsibility for the Department for Education, the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government. In England, the Department for Education is already considering the options for new eligibility criteria and working with a number of stakeholders. Department of Education Ministers will consult on free school meal eligibility proposals in 2012, in good time to take decisions to meet our overall timetable to introduce universal credit by October 2013.

Work Capability Assessment

Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effect of reducing the time allowed to return an ESA50 form on the ability of claimants to gather and submit additional medical evidence to support their claim;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effect of reducing the time allowed to return an ESA50 form on the ability of (a) claimants with mental health disorders, cognitive problems or learning difficulties and (b) other claimants to return the form on time;
	(3)  with reference to Section 9 of the Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 2011, what the reasons are for the reduction of the amount of time allowed to claimants to return an ESA50 form.

Chris Grayling: From 31 October 2011, the time limits for returning the questionnaire (ESA50) were reduced from 42 days to 28 days overall. This is because the time scales were based on those for incapacity benefit, which included an additional 14 days for claimants to contact their GPs to make an appointment. This is not needed for employment and support allowance claims and the Government believes that it is therefore reasonable reduce the time scales for returning the form from 28 days to 21 days, and the time for reminders to seven days from 14, which makes an overall total of 28 days. We would not wish for this to impinge on a claimant's ability to provide further evidence to support their claim as they will still be required to complete the remaining Work Capability Assessment process, of which, the return of ESA50 is just the start.
	We recognise concerns about the effects on vulnerable people, especially those with mental health problems. As a consequence we are retaining all existing safeguards for those claimants who demonstrate that they had good cause for failing to return the questionnaire on time. Decision Makers must consider the claimant's state of health, nature of disability and whether they were in Great Britain before deciding if the claimant has good cause for not completing the questionnaire on time.

Work Capability Assessment

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average waiting time was in each Jobcentre district for a work capability assessment in the case of (a) people not previously claiming benefit after submitting a new application for employment and support allowance and (b) existing recipients of incapacity benefit, after receiving notification of re-assessment.

Chris Grayling: The information is not available.

Work Programme

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of different Work programme providers being able to compare each other's performance.

Chris Grayling: Work programme providers are required by contract not to share data with other organisations prior to the date of publication of Official Statistics. This clause in the contracts is essential in order to protect the integrity of data and in doing so comply with UK Statistics Authority legislation.
	As a minimum, we currently expect to publish referral figures from spring 2012 and job outcome figures from autumn 2012. Data will, subject to its availability and quality, be presented by: age; gender; ethnicity; disability; provider; local authority; parliamentary constituency; and contract package area.
	Driving up performance between providers is imperative to the success of the Work programme. From 2013 the best performing provider for each claimant group in a contract package area will receive more new referrals from that claimant group and the weakest will receive fewer, subject to a minimum performance gap. The publication of data will help ensure this is undertaken in a clear and transparent way.

Work Programme

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) Tier 1 and (b) Tier 2 subcontractors from the voluntary and community sector were named in the bids submitted by organisations which are now work programme prime providers.

Chris Grayling: At the initial round of bidding DWP received 177 bids for the Work programme competition. 40 of these bids were successful and there were 1,404 supply chain opportunities.

Work Programme

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) Tier 1 and (b) Tier 2 subcontractors currently contracted by work programme prime providers are from the voluntary and community sector.

Chris Grayling: An exact number of tier 1 and tier 2 subcontractors is inaccurate as soon as it is published. DWP does not hold exact numbers but stock takes at points in time. The most recent stock take of the position regarding tier 1 and tier 2 Work programme supply chains found comparatively few changes from those listed in the initial bids with the voluntary sector maintaining the highest share at around 46%.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Queen's Messages

David Winnick: To ask the Leader of the House if he will bring forward proposals for messages from Her Majesty the Queen to be notified to the House by Mr Speaker.

George Young: No.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Adam Werritty

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether (a) he has and (b) his officials have met Mr Adam Werritty in an official capacity; and whether any such meetings took place (i) in a building within the Government estate and (ii) elsewhere.

William Hague: The information requested is: (a) no; (b) yes, there was some limited contact both on and off Government premises.

Algeria: Christianity

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received on (a) the level of religious freedom for Christians in Algeria and (b) the effect of Ordinance 06-03 on freedom to worship; and whether he raised these matters during his recent visit to that country.

Alistair Burt: We monitor religious freedoms in the middle east and north Africa closely. We are aware that the Algerian authorities have closed some places of worship which had not been registered under Ordinance 06-03, including those of Christian groups, since the regulations governing religion in Algeria came into effect in May 2007. I discussed the situation with a delegation of Algerian Christians when I met them on 26 October and they confirmed our understanding that Church representatives, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Ministry of Interior officials are taking part in working sessions to discuss the implementation of the laws.
	The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), discussed the importance of reform with the Algerian authorities during his recent visit, although did not raise religious freedoms specifically. In relation to freedom of religion, our embassy in Algeria is keeping a number of current cases under review. Where there are opportunities to raise the issue with the host government, we will do so. The subject of individual freedoms and human rights was also discussed with the Algerian authorities at the EU/Algerian political dialogue, which had its first meeting recently.

Charities

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what grants his Department made to charitable organisations in each of the last five years.

David Lidington: I refer to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), on 23 March 2011, Official Report, column 1154W, to the hon. Member for the Vale of Clwyd (Chris Ruane).

Departmental Assets

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assets with a value of £250,000 or more his Department has bought since May 2010; and if he will make a statement.

David Lidington: In this period, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) added to the fixed asset register 34 completed projects costing more than £250,000 each, at total cost of £74.48 million. This relates to investment in buildings in our network of nearly 270 posts overseas as well as our offices in the UK, as well as information technology projects that will deliver savings and better services to the FCO and other Government Departments. The FCO made disposals amounting to a total value of £31.62 million during this period. Further details on our fixed assets are published in the FCO's annual report and accounts which are presented to Parliament each year.

Departmental Libraries

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on its library in each year since 1995; and how many books were issued from the library in each such year.

William Hague: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) ceased hard copy library and information services on 31 March 2008 with the exception of a small legal library which remains for reference and research use by its legal advisers. The Department did not maintain a central record of the library’s expenditure and it would incur disproportionate cost to establish such historical data. It did not keep historical data about book issues. A new electronic library was introduced in 2010 to provide information services via the desktop throughout the global network, including access to electronic books.

Departmental Libraries

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Library since May 2010; and if he will place a copy of any such representations in the House of Commons Library.

William Hague: Since May 2010 I have received 15 representations about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office library consisting of MP and member of the public letters, freedom of information requests, written parliamentary questions and public correspondence.
	I will arrange to place a list of these representations in the Library of the House.

Departmental NDPBs

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials were (a) directly and (b) otherwise employed by non-departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible (i) in 2000, (ii) in 2005, (iii) in 2007, (iv) in 2010 and (v) on the most recent date for which figures are available.

Jeremy Browne: None. The employees of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)'s non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) are not civil servants.

Departmental Pay

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in his Department and the bodies for which he is responsible earned more than (a) £65,000, (b) £95,000, (c) £140,000 and (d) £175,000 in the last year for which figures are available.

Jeremy Browne: The following table details the number of civil servants employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office who in the last financial year (2010-11) earned salaries within the ranges specified:
	
		
			  Number 
			 (a) £65,000 to £94,999 258 
			 (b) £95,000 to £139,999 35 
			 (c) £140,000 to £174,999 2 
			 (d) Over £175,000 2

Departmental Pay

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in his Department received a pay rise other than by promotion in the last two years; and what the average increase was in each such year.

Jeremy Browne: No senior civil servant in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received a pay rise, other than through promotion, since the pay freeze came into effect from 1 April 2010.
	Civil servants below the senior civil service are subject to a pay freeze with effect from 1 April 2011. Under HM Treasury rules, staff whose full-time equivalent salary is less than £21,000 are entitled to receive a payment of at least £250 during the pay freeze. In line with this, 656 staff received an average increase of £337 with effect from 1 April 2011.
	Prior to the pay freeze, with effect from 1 April 2010, 3,715 staff below the senior civil service received a pay rise relating to 2009-10 performance. The average increase was £1,092.

Departmental Telephone Services

Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much funding his Department allocated to each telephone helpline funded by his Department in 2011-12; what the purpose is of each such helpline; and how many calls each helpline received in each of the last five years.

Jeremy Browne: Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) consular staff in London and overseas regularly answer phone calls from British nationals seeking our help, including through our 24-hour Global Response Centre. Consular Directorate also provides the following telephone helplines:
	Travel  a dvice telephone line
	This service offers access to the FCO's travel advice to those who are unable to view it online, or who wish to inquire in person. The service is currently provided by a commercial partner and we have budgeted £ 190,000 for 2011-12. We continue to improve our online travel advice, and hope to reduce this cost by making online advice easier to use. The number of calls received in the past five years:
	2006-07: 63,987
	2007-08: 58,486
	2008-09: 113,904
	2009-10: 131,988
	2010-11: 114,827.
	Overseas crises
	In a crisis affecting British nationals overseas the FCO may activate a call handling capacity to take calls from affected members of the public, either in-house or outsourced to a commercial partner or the police. This depends on the scale and nature of the incident. These call handlers usually respond to calls to a dedicated emergency hotline number. Funding for operational costs is not allocated in advance, but these costs can be claimed from the Treasury-held Emergency Disaster Reserve should the total costs of our crisis response surpass £150,000. To establish accurate figures and costs for each of the last five years would incur disproportionate cost.
	Legalisation; and births, deaths and marriages inquiries
	This service is currently being provided by a commercial partner, to enable the Legalisation Office staff to process documents as efficiently as possible and ensure calls are always answered promptly. Included in the passport telephone inquiry line, Careline
	provided a telephone inquiry service for the Legalisation Office from February 2010. When the passport contract moved to the Identity and Passport Service, a one-year short-term extension of contract was established with Careline (from 1 June 2011) to handle legalisation inquiries. Within the same contract, Careline handles telephone inquiries from British nationals looking to register a birth or death or with questions about getting married or arranging a civil partnership overseas. The budget for 2011-12 is £80,000. The number of calls received:
	February to December 2010: 22,424 legalisation inquiries
	January to October 2011: 27,938 legalisation inquiries and 1,233 calls for births, marriages and deaths inquiries.
	Passport inquiry line
	Between 1 June 2009 and 1 April 2011, Consular Directorate employed Careline, a UK based company, to provide a telephone inquiry and tracking service for customers applying for passports overseas. Careline continue to provide this service but the contract is now managed by the Identity and Passport Service, an executive agency of the Home Office. The FCO do not pay for this service; customers are charged direct by Careline. Exceptionally, the FCO covered the cost of calls to Careline, from 15 July to 31 July 2011 for customers served by the regional passport processing centre in Dusseldorf and from 15 July until 31 August for customers served by the processing centre in Washington because of delays in passport production. The cost of the temporary free service was £29,610. The number of calls received:
	1 June to 31 December 2009: 74,109
	1 January to 31 December 2010: 144,901
	1 January to 28 October 2011: 115,768.
	Consular Directorate provides specific telephone numbers for certain customers requiring FCO support. These are regular FCO phone lines manned by Consular staff during normal working at no additional cost.
	The Child Abduction Section helpline
	This helpline was established to answer urgent questions from British nationals involved in a parental child abduction, residence or contact dispute overseas. The number of new cases are recorded, rather than the number of calls.
	The Forced Marriage Unit helpline
	This helpline offers support to British nationals overseas and anyone in the UK who is worried about being forced into a marriage. This is a joint initiative with the Home Office. We do not record the number of calls received, but record the number of unique reports of potential forced marriage cases.
	There is also a helpline for Members of Parliament wishing to speak to a member of Consular Directorate about constituency cases. The number of calls is not recorded.

Departmental Work Experience

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many unpaid and expenses-only internships (a) his Department and (b) each public body for which he is responsible employed in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Jeremy Browne: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has not taken on any unpaid or expense-only interns over the last 12 months in the UK. It has, however, taken on 52 paid interns in the UK in the last 12 months through a number of publicly advertised schemes.
	In the last 12 months, the British Council’s UK offices have employed 15 interns on either an unpaid/expenses-only basis.
	The Westminster Foundation for Democracy has had three short-term expenses-only internships over the last 12 months. Information can be found at:
	http://www.wfd.org/who-we-are/internships.aspx
	There were no other unpaid or expenses-only internships in the FCO’s other arm’s length bodies.

EU Aid

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on having a separate budget line for European Commission humanitarian aid in the Multi-Annual Financial Framework.

Alan Duncan: I have been asked to reply.
	The Humanitarian Aid Instrument (HAI) is the main budget line for humanitarian activities in the European Union (EU) budget. The Emergency Aid Reserve (EAR), meanwhile, is the part of the EU budget used to respond to crises in non-EU countries which were not accounted for when the budget was drawn up—allowing the EU to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies.
	These instruments fund the work of the Commission's humanitarian agency, European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO)—responsible for responding to the needs of the most vulnerable people immediately after a disaster. The UK's Multilateral Aid Review (MAR) rated the agency highly, with very good value for money; closely matching the UK's own humanitarian objectives. ECHO'S separate budget line is an important factor in enabling it to deliver effectively, giving it greater scope to provide long-term and predictable funding to at-risk areas as well as the ability to hold funds in reserve for response to unforeseen disasters and humanitarian crises.

European Union: Powers

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 15 September 2011, Official Report, column 1322W, on Croatia: EU Enlargement, if he will make it his policy to seek to repatriate social and employment powers from the European Union during negotiations on Croatia's accession treaty.

David Lidington: The UK is a firm supporter of EU enlargement and we look forward to Croatia's accession to the EU. The treaty concerning Croatian accession, which will be adopted in accordance with Article 49 TEU is due to be signed by the EU member states and by Croatia in December 2011, and the current target date for accession is 1 July 2013. Article 49 TEU deals specifically with accession agreements, which set out the conditions of admission of the acceding state and adjustments to the treaties which that admission entails. Article 49 cannot be used to alter the balance of power or competences between existing member states and the EU. Accession treaties deal with the transfer of power and competence from the acceding state to the EU.

India: British Nationals Abroad

Guy Opperman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on British nationals dying in India.

Jeremy Browne: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) receives regular reports of cases involving British nationals dying in India. The FCO, through our network of diplomatic representations in India and our consular department in London, offers assistance and advice when required to the families and friends of British nationals. This includes providing information on available local burial and cremation procedures, about companies that can assist with international repatriation, help in liaising with the local authorities on a range of matters including family wishes for funeral arrangements and, through Victim Support, support for bereaved relatives in the UK.
	The FCO regularly raises unresolved cases with the Government of India, including in July when I called on Indian Home Secretary Chidambaram and since then at official level. The FCO will continue to do this in a measured and fair manner until each unresolved case is concluded. There are currently 64 unresolved death cases.

Nigeria: Human Rights

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received on human rights in Nigeria.

Jeremy Browne: We have received representations concerning inter-communal violence in Plateau State. The British high commission has raised our concerns about the ongoing conflict which has affected both Christian and Muslim communities in Plateau State and urged the Nigerian Federal and state governments, traditional rulers and religious leaders to work together to address the root social, economic and political issues.
	We are also aware of a proposed Bill to prohibit marriage between persons of the same gender, currently being debated by the Nigerian Senate. In a recent meeting with the Chair of the Senate committee on human rights, the EU Delegation in Nigeria lobbied against the introduction of the Bill. We supported that action and will continue to closely monitor developments on the Bill.

Palestinians: Prisoners

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the conditions of detention of Palestinian children in prison in Israel.

Alistair Burt: As I stated in the House on 25 October 2011, Official Report, column 166, we receive regular reports about the detention of Palestinian children from a non-governmental organisation, Defence for Children International.
	We remain concerned about the detention of children in military jails and the prosecution of children through military courts.
	During my visit in June, I raised this matter directly with the Minister responsible, indicating the UK's concerns about both the detention and the treatment of children. The Israelis have recently raised the age of criminal responsibility in the territories from 16 to 18, so it is the same as for Israeli children. Nonetheless, I know that the Israeli Government do take seriously the fact that children are detained in circumstances that cause concern to NGOs and UNICEF, and we will continue to press them on this.

Palestinians: UNESCO

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the UK voted on the admission of Palestine to UNESCO.

Alistair Burt: The UK abstained on the Palestinian application to join UNESCO. The principal basis for this decision was because we believe that the UN Security Council should conclude its careful consideration of the Palestinian application to the UN, before other UN specialised agencies or other international organisations consider separate applications. We do not want to prejudge the ongoing discussions in New York.

Serbia: EU Enlargement

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of Serbia's bid for EU membership; and if he will make a statement.

David Lidington: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 1 November 2011 to the hon. Member for Islwyn (Chris Evans), Official Report, column 584W.

Turkey: Earthquakes

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support his Department is providing to the Turkish authorities following the recent earthquake in that country; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Duncan: I have been asked to reply.
	In response to a specific request from the Turkish Government, the UK Government have provided 1,144 protective winter tents to house 5,500 people who are without shelter. The Turkish Government have not requested food, medicines, blankets, heaters or additional relief commodities. The UK Government will continue to monitor the situation in the affected region.

UNESCO: Finance

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much funding his Department allocated to UNESCO in each year from 2000 to 2011.

Jeremy Browne: The Department for International Development (DFID) pays the UK's assessed contributions to UNESCO.
	The figures for the assessed contribution from 2000 to 2011 are as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2000 (1)12.032 
			 2001 (1)13.493 
			 2002 12.018 
			 2003 11.149 
			 2004 10.597 
			 2005 11.114 
			 2006 10.716 
			 2007 14.100 
			 2008 13.145 
			 2009 10.013 
			 2010 14.933 
			 2011 14.482 
			 (1) Figures taken from Statistics on International Development, remaining figures from ARIES. 
		
	
	The UK has benefitted from rebates in the second year of the biennium as a result of early payment of its contribution. Rebates amounted to £330,000 in 2004-05; £1,083,000 in 2006-07 and £700,000 in 2008-09.

DEFENCE

Adam Werritty

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  whether officials of his Department provided any advice to the Minister for International Security Strategy in advance of his meeting with Mr Adam Werritty and Mr Stephen Crouch on 27 September 2011;
	(2)  whether the Minister for International Security Strategy's meeting with Mr Adam Werritty and Mr Stephen Crouch on 27 September 2011 was arranged by his diary secretary;
	(3)  whether any official of his Department attended the Minister for International Security Strategy's meeting with Mr Adam Werritty and Mr Stephen Crouch on 27 September 2011; and whether minutes of that meeting were taken.

Gerald Howarth: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), on 24 October 2011, Official Report, columns 30-31W, to the hon. Member for North Durham (Mr Jones) and the hon. Member for Wrexham (Ian Lucas).
	The meeting with Adam Werritty and Stephen Crouch on 27 September was not organised by my Ministry of Defence diary secretary, officials did not provide any advice in advance and no record was taken.

Armed Forces: Cadets

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many cadets were enrolled in the Sussex Air Cadets in each of the last five years; and how much funding per cadet his Department provided to the Sussex Air Cadets in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many cadets were enrolled in the Sussex Sea Cadets in each of the last five years; and how much funding per cadet his Department provided to the Sussex Sea Cadets in each of the last five years;
	(3)  how many cadets were enrolled in the Sussex Army Cadet Force in each of the last five years; and how much funding per cadet his Department provided to the Sussex Army Cadet Force in each of the last five years.

Andrew Robathan: holding answer 31 October 2011
	The number of cadets in each of the service cadet forces in Sussex fluctuates throughout the year; we have therefore provided a snapshot as at a point each year, which varies for each service.
	
		
			 As at 1 September 2011 unless shown otherwise Total number of Sea Cadets 
			 31 March 2006 367 
			 2007 432 
			 2008 433 
			 2009 450 
			 2010 476 
			 2011 450 
		
	
	
		
			  Total number of Army Cadets as at 1 September 2011 Number enrolled annually 
			 2007 922 397 
			 2008 1,042 423 
			 2009 935 454 
			 2010 1,114 471 
			 2011 1,196 362 
		
	
	
		
			 As at 30 September 2011 Total number of Air Cadets 
			 2006 820 
			 2007 799 
			 2008 789 
			 2009 835 
			 2010 805 
			 2011 823 
		
	
	It is not possible to provide information on the funding per cadet as it is not calculated or held in the format requested. Details of the funding to units in Sussex provided from the grant in aid provided by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) over the past five financial years are shown in the following tables for each of the services where this information is available.
	
		
			 Financial year Sea Cadet funding (£) 
			 2006-07 69,224.01 
			 2007-08 70,428.28 
			 2008-09 57,446.84 
			 2009-10 47,041.94 
			 2010-11 40,297.35 
			 2011-12 to date 26,114.43 
		
	
	
		
			 Financial year Army Cadet funding (£) 
			 2007-08 252,059.00 
			 2008-09 268,286.00 
			 2009-10 302,880.00 
			 2010-11 312,757.00 
			 2011-12 to date 186,638.00 
		
	
	These figures represent funding for cadet activities such as ammunition, rations, transport, paid training days and travel and subsistence. This does not cover the cost of salaries and pensions of permanent staff employed in the cadet forces, nor other support costs, such as buildings maintenance, which are accounted for centrally.
	For the Air Cadet units in Sussex, it is not possible to provide information on the funding per cadet as it is not held in the format requested. A recent internal study calculated that the total average cost of one Air Training Corps cadet was £1,086 per year, but this is not calculated on the same basis as the grant figures given above.
	The Sea Cadets are funded differently to the Army and Air Cadets. Unlike the other MOD sponsored cadet forces, the Sea Cadets are a charity and raise 45% of their funding themselves from outside the MOD.

Armed Forces: Housing

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of (a) service family accommodation and (b) single living accommodation has been identified as requiring refurbishment; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: 96% of service family accommodation (SFA) properties in the UK are already at the top two standards (of four) for condition. £100 million will be spent upgrading properties to the top standard by 2013.
	From 2003-13, a total of £1.4 billion will have been spent delivering 60,000 new or improved single living accommodation (SLA) bed-spaces.

Armed Forces: Mental Health

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 31 January 2011, Official Report, column 512W, on armed forces: mental health, what recent progress he has made on implementing the recommendation of the report by the hon. Member for South West Wiltshire that a member of the armed forces whose requirement for a specialist opinion is identified at the time of discharge should be able to obtain it and any follow-on treatment in a military department of community mental health for the next six months.

Andrew Robathan: The policy is now in place and operational, and has been formally promulgated in Annex A to Section 11.0 of Joint Service Publication (JSP) 950 Leaflet 2-7-2 (Veterans and Mental Healthcare Provision in Departments of Community Mental Health). A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average waiting time was to join the Army in each of the last two years.

Andrew Robathan: It is not possible to provide an average waiting time for those who apply to join the Army as each individual application is unique and varies considerably depending on whether the applicant is applying to enlist as an officer or soldier, regular or Territorial Army. This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Army aims to process applications as quickly and efficiently as possible. Many factors can influence the length of time taken including medical issues, fitness levels, security clearance and the availability of places at selection centres and training establishments plus, vacancies in chosen trades.

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 23 November 2010, Official Report, column 211W, on armed forces: recruitment, how many people were recruited to each of the armed forces at each recruitment centre in each year since 2009-10.

Andrew Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Dr Whiteford) on 19 October 2011, Official Report, column 987W.

Armed Forces: Training

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of Army recruits currently in Phase One or Phase Two training are not deployable due to their age.

Andrew Robathan: There are no Army recruits currently in Phase One and Phase Two training who are not deployable due to their age. This is because no Army recruit is deployable until they have completed Phase One and Phase Two training regardless of their age.
	On completion of Phase One and Phase Two training, individuals will not be deployed if they are under the age of 18.

Armed Forces: Young People

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the minimum age is for training with (a) live ammunition, (b) guns, (c) bayonets and (d) other weapons.

Andrew Robathan: holding answer 2 November 2011
	The armed forces recruit from age 16. All new recruits undertake live weapon training during their phase 1 training. The use of bayonets is not universal across the services but training will begin, regardless of age, when recruits join those branches that do make use of bayonets, for example, the infantry or RAF Regiment. The guidelines governing the use of live weapons during phase 1 and 2 training are stringent in considering accident prevention and physical security and no training is undertaken without strict supervision.

Armed Forces: Young People

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of armed forces veterans in prison enlisted under the age of 18.

Andrew Robathan: holding answer 2 November 2011
	This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces: Young People

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to prohibit the participation in hostilities of soldiers aged under 18 in any circumstances.

Andrew Robathan: holding answer 3 November 2011
	Our policy remains that no service personnel under the age of 18 are deployed on operations which would result in them becoming engaged in, or exposed, to hostilities. I see no need to take further action.

Armed Forces: Young People

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of (a) compulsory and (b) voluntary discharges from the (i) Army, (ii) Navy and (iii) RAF (A) were under the age of 18 and (B) had enlisted while under the age of 18 in each of the last five years.

Andrew Robathan: holding answer 3 November 2011
	The information requested is not held centrally in a format that would allow for the differentiation between compulsory and voluntary outflow. However, the proportion of personnel under the age of 18 leaving the services and the proportion of leavers who enlisted while under the age of 18, against the total number leaving the services, are presented in the following tables. Information is not available before 2007-08 as the joint personnel administration system, from which the information presented was sourced, was not fully operational before that time.
	
		
			 Outflow from UK armed forces of those under 18 as a proportion of all service leavers 
			 Percentage 
			  Financial year 
			  2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 All services 7.6 7.1 8.1 4.5 
			 Naval service 5.7 5.6 5.6 2.2 
			 Army 10.0 9.1 10.0 6.3 
			 RAF 1.2 2.6 3.6 0.7 
		
	
	
		
			 Outflow from UK armed forces of those who enlisted while under 18 as a proportion of all service leavers 
			 Percentage 
			  Financial year 
			  2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 All services 37.9 36.6 34.4 34.0 
			 Naval service 33.6 33.2 29.3 27.1 
			 Army 41.5 40.6 37.9 37.9 
			 RAF 27.0 27.4 26.6 27.3

Departmental Freedom of Information

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many requests made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to his Department on or after 7 May 2010 remain unanswered after 30 working days.

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 his Department has received in each month since May 2010; how many responses given in each such month disclosed (a) the full information requested, (b) part of the information requested, with some information withheld under exemptions in the Act and (c) none of the information requested; and in respect of how many requests received in each such month (i) (A) substantive and (B) holding responses were issued within 20 working days of the date of receipt, (ii) no substantive response was issued within 40 working days of the date of receipt and (iii) no substantive response has yet been issued;
	(2)  in respect of how many responses to requests for information received by his Department under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the reason of (a) commercially sensitive information, (b) information not held, (c) information too costly to provide and (d) vexatious or repeated requests has been given in response since January 2010.

Andrew Robathan: The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) publishes statistics on the handling of requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 by over 40 central Government bodies. These include the Ministry of Defence (MOD), which receives approximately 3,000 requests each year. This information is available on the Ministry of Justice and the National Archive websites, at the following addresses:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/foi/implementation-editions.htm
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.justice .gov.uk/publications/freedomofinformationquarterly -archive.htm
	Statistics for the whole of 2011 will be collated and published in due course.
	The MOD and MOJ do not collect data on the number of ‘holding responses’ sent to requesters, only on the timeliness of substantive responses for both instances when a public interest test has or has not been applied.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Minister in his Department is responsible for determining whether exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 should apply to responses to requests for information under the Act; and which other Minister is responsible for making such determinations should the subject matter of the request fall within the Ministerial responsibilities of the Minister with lead responsibility.

Andrew Robathan: Ministry of Defence officials would normally determine whether exemptions to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000 should apply to responses to requests for information under the Act.
	There are 23 FOI exemptions. One of these, Section 36 prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs, can only apply if it is the reasonable opinion of a qualified person that the exemption applies. The Act states that in relation to information held by Government, the qualified person must be a Minister. A ministerial submission is produced by the lead business area and submitted to the Minister with responsibility for the topic that the FOI covers. In addition, any FOI received from an MP or their support staff, must receive a response from a Minister. Again, this is the Minister with responsibility for the topic that the FOI covers.

Departmental Regulation

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) statutory instruments, (b) ministerial orders and (c) other pieces of secondary legislation were issued by his Department in (i) 1990, (ii) 1995, (iii) each year since 1999 and (iv) 2011 to date.

Andrew Robathan: The information requested for the years in question is set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Number 
			  Statutory instruments Ministerial orders 
			 1990 9 — 
			 1995 4 — 
			 1999 8 1 
			 2000 21 2 
			 2001 6 3 
			 2002 9 3 
			 2003 8 4 
			 2004 10 5 
			 2005 26 5 
			 2006 24 5 
			 2007 18 5 
			 2008 22 6 
			 2009 60 6 
			 2010 5 4 
			 2011 (to date) 11 2 
		
	
	The ministerial orders referred to are orders made by the Secretary of State for Defence under the Reserve Forces Act 1996 to call-out members of the reserve forces.

Departmental Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what company or Government service is used to undertake security vetting at (a) counter-terrorist check, (b) security check and (c) developed vetting level in his Department.

Andrew Robathan: Defence Business Services, National Security Vetting (previously known as the Defence Vetting Agency).

Departmental Work Experience

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many unpaid and expenses-only internships (a) his Department and (b) each public body for which he is responsible employed in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Andrew Robathan: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) offers a number of summer diversity internships for undergraduates each year. Full information on this scheme is at:
	www.civilservice.gov.uk/faststream
	Information on other internships that may have been offered by the MOD or its arm's length bodies is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Drummore Harbour: Land

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the sale price was of his Department's land holding interest at Drummore Harbour; and what conditions were attached to the sale.

Andrew Robathan: The harbour pier wall and high water foreshore at Drummore Harbour was sold by the Ministry of Defence in 2004 for £1,000. No specific conditions were attached to the sale.

European Fighter Aircraft

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what alterations will be required to existing range complexes following the proposed transfer of the Typhoon force from RAF Leuchars to RAF Lossiemouth.

Andrew Robathan: Detailed planning continues, but there are no changes currently planned to existing range complexes resulting from the future transfer of the Typhoon force from RAF Leuchars to RAF Lossiemouth.

Legal Opinion

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officials in his Department were working in its legal section in June 2011; and how many staff were working in the legal departments of his Department's agencies and non-departmental bodies.

Andrew Robathan: In June 2011, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) employed the following numbers of officials, including support staff, in the five different legal sections within the Department:
	Central Legal Services, MOD—100, of whom 78 are legally qualified
	Army Legal Services—141, of whom 99 are legally qualified
	RAF Legal Services—54, of whom 42 are legally qualified
	Navy Legal Services—40, of whom 16 are legally qualified
	The Service Prosecuting Authority—73, of whom 39 are legally qualified
	These figures do not include locally hired civilians who are employed in overseas locations. With regard to the MOD's agencies and Trading Funds, at 1 June 2011, the UK Hydrographic Office had one in-house lawyer.

Officers

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many officers of captain rank or above there are in (a) the Navy and (b) his Department;
	(2)  how many generals there are in (a) the Army and (b) his Department;
	(3)  how many admirals there are in (a) the Royal Navy and (b) his Department;
	(4)  how many officers of major rank and above there are in (a) the Army and (b) his Department.

Andrew Robathan: The following tables provide information on the total number of officers in the Royal Navy and Army holding the rank of Admiral, their Army equivalent, and below as at 1 April 2011:
	
		
			 Royal Navy 
			  Total 
			 Admiral 2 
			 Vice Admiral 7 
			 Rear Admiral 33 
			 Commodore 80 
			 Captain 300 
		
	
	
		
			 Army 
			  Total 
			 General 6 
			 Lieutenant General 9 
			 Major General 43 
			 Brigadier 170 
			 Colonel 580 
			 Lieutenant Colonel 1,780 
			 Major 4,700 
		
	
	Officers of the armed forces can serve in a variety of appointments both in the United Kingdom and overseas, but continue to be employed by the Ministry of Defence. Reductions are expected across the senior ranks in the light of the independent report by Lord Levene which considered the way in which the Ministry of Defence is structured and managed. The reduction in number of senior staff will impact most significantly on non-command appointments.
	Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) publish Defence Statistics annually on their website:
	www.dasa.mod.uk
	This includes the United Kingdom Regular Armed Forces by rank structure.

World War I: Anniversaries

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.

Andrew Robathan: holding answer 21 October 2011
	Traditionally, we mark the anniversary of the conclusion of a conflict rather than its beginning. So the main commemorations will be on the centenary of the end of the First World War in 1918. However, given the importance of the centenary of World War I, a number of anniversaries of key events from 2014 to 2018, including the beginning of the war, will be marked in an appropriate way. The Prime Minister has asked my hon. Friend the Member for South West Wiltshire (Dr Murrison) to act as his special representative and co-ordinator for World War I Commemorations. Dr Murrison will work with international partners to ensure that the UK plays a full and active role; and will co-ordinate the cross-Whitehall effort in respect of the commemorations.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Adam Werritty

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether (a) he, (b) officials of his Department and (c) special advisers in his Department have met Mr Adam Werritty on official business since May 2010; and how many such meetings took place (i) on his Department's premises and (ii) elsewhere.

John Penrose: This Department's Ministers, officials and special advisers have not met Adam Werritty on official business since May 2010.

American Football

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effect on grass roots participation in sports of the NFL playing two regular season American football games in the UK.

Hugh Robertson: The Department has made no such assessment. Sport England record the levels of once a month participation in American Football, which can be found in the following table, however there has been no significant change since 2007-08.
	
		
			 Date Volume of once a month participation 
			 October 2007 to October 2008 37,800 
			 October 2008 to October 2009 30,600 
			 October 2009 to October 2010 38,500 
			 April 2010 to April 2011 31,800

Arts

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what representations he has made to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Economic Affairs on finances for businesses in the creative industries.

Edward Vaizey: holding answer 3 November 2011
	A wide range of issues are discussed at the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Economic Affairs, including different ways the Government can support the Creative Industries.

Arts

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to increase access to finance by small and medium-sized enterprises in the creative industries.

Edward Vaizey: holding answer 3 November 2011
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Minister for Sport and the Olympics, my hon. Friend the Member for Faversham and Mid Kent (Hugh Robertson), on 25 October 2011, Official Report, column 164W.

Arts Council England

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what funding Arts Council England plans to provide for jazz in the North East in 2012-13 and in subsequent years.

Edward Vaizey: Arts Council England (ACE) is committed to working with the jazz sector to enhance opportunities for artists, promoters and audiences. The three ACE regularly funded jazz agencies in the North were unsuccessful in their recent National Portfolio applications, decisions for which were based on an assessment of the strength of those applications.
	ACE continues to support and encourage applications for funding from north eastern emerging jazz artists, touring groups, jazz festivals, new commissions and other jazz activity under the open access Grants for the Arts programme. ACE representatives recently met with the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group and they will continue to discuss future funding possibilities.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport which Minister in his Department is responsible for determining whether exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 should apply to responses to requests for information under the Act; and which other Minister is responsible for making such determinations should the subject matter of the request fall within the ministerial responsibilities of the Minister with lead responsibility.

John Penrose: Departmental officials would normally determine whether exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 should apply to responses to requests for information under the Act.
	However, the exemption under section 36 (prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs) can only apply if it is the reasonable opinion of a qualified person (QP) that the exemption applies. In relation to information held by Government, the QP must be a Minister.
	It is departmental policy that the decision as to whether section 36 is applicable will be made by the Minister who has the policy responsibility for the subject of the request.

Departmental Work Experience

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many unpaid and expenses-only internships (a) his Department and (b) each public body for which he is responsible employed in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

John Penrose: The Department has employed two unpaid interns in the last 12 months as part of the Whitehall Diversity Internship programme. Both had placements in our private offices and the Government Olympic Executive.
	We do not hold central records for our arm's length bodies. I have therefore asked their chief executives to write directly to the Member for Liverpool Wavertree.
	Copies will be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses.

Freeview Services

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with Ofcom on the (a) policing and (b) mitigation of interference with Freeview digital terrestrial services that may arise from the introduction of 4G mobile technology.

Edward Vaizey: My officials are in constant dialogue with Ofcom on both the policy implications and technical measures associated with these issues. We expect decisions on the mitigation process to be made by the end of this year.

Mobile Phones

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what factors he will take into consideration when allocating the recently announced £150 million in funding for mobile telephone masts;
	(2)  whether the £150 million in funding for mobile telephone masts will be limited to deployment of (a) 2G, (b) 3G or (c) 4G mobile technologies.

Edward Vaizey: The principal consideration when considering the optimal use of the £150 million for mobile masts will be to fill in not-spots in the national 2G mobile coverage and raise the coverage level to 99%. However when decisions are being made on locations and mast types, consideration will be given to the requirements of hosting other technologies such as 3G and eventually 4G on the new structures.

Museums and Galleries

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many people volunteered in (a) theatres, (b) museums, (c) art galleries and (d) national heritage sites in the latest period for which figures are available.

Edward Vaizey: From July 2010 to June 2011, 23.8% of people had volunteered in the last 12 months. Of these, 14.2% had volunteered within the Department's arts (including theatre), museums and galleries (combined) and heritage sectors. The estimated numbers of volunteers in each of these sectors are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Percentage Estimated number of volunteers 
			 Volunteers in last 12 months 23.8 10,027,640 
			    
			 Sector   
			 Arts 8.3 831,491 
			 Museums/galleries 1.5 148,913 
			 Heritage 4.4 437,818 
			 Source: Taking Part Survey

Museums and Galleries

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the cost to the public purse was of upkeep of (a) theatres, (b) museums, (c) art galleries and (d) national heritage sites in each region of England in each of the last 10 years.

Edward Vaizey: The Department does not hold disaggregated figures on the amount of money spent on the upkeep of regionally based theatres, museums, art galleries and heritage sites. To provide this would incur disproportionate costs.

Museums and Galleries

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effect of reductions in funding on (a) theatres, (b) museums, (c) art galleries and (d) national heritage sites in each region of England over the Comprehensive Spending Review period.

Edward Vaizey: At the time of the spending review, the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), and I were keen to ensure the sustainability of our key cultural assets by limiting cuts to museums, heritage sites, and frontline arts organisations to 15% over the four year period. This has enabled national and regional organisations to put in place effective plans to meet the required savings.
	Both English Heritage and Arts Council England continue to work closely with organisations they fund, to achieve efficiency, raise philanthropy, explore commercial opportunities and ensure the cultural regional offer remains excellent. This Department's Ministers meet with the chief executives of both organisations regularly to discuss progress and any concerns.

National Lottery: Tickets

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the proportion of the health lottery ticket price that goes to (a) good causes, (b) administration costs, (c) tax and (d) profit; and what proportion of ticket prices for (i) traditional society lotteries and (ii) the national lottery goes to such categories;
	(2)  what discussions his Department has had with the Treasury on the tax regimes applying to different types of lottery; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: My Department does not hold the breakdown as requested. The Gambling Act 2005 requires that as a minimum a society lottery needs to apply 20% of the proceeds of each lottery to their good cause. We understand that the health lottery has publicly stated that it expects 20.3% of proceeds will be allocated to health related causes with the remaining proceeds being split between prizes and expenses. Society lotteries are not subject to lottery duty, and DCMS Ministers have not discussed this issue with Treasury Ministers. Decisions in this area are, of course, for the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), and the Treasury keeps taxation policy under constant review.
	The Gambling Commission's “Industry statistics, 2009/10”
	http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/pdf/Gambling%20 Industry%20Statistics%202009%202010%20update%20-%20July%202011.pdf
	show that in the period October 2009 to September 2010 total proceeds (ticket sales) in society lotteries (both lotteries run by external lottery managers and directly by the societies) were £200 million this represents an increase of 9% on the previous 12 months. The ticket sales were apportioned as follows: 18% to prizes; 51% to purposes of promoting society, and 31% to expenses. The National Lottery Commission advise that the national lottery, on average, is apportioned as follows: 50% to prizes; 28% to good causes; 12% to lottery duty; 5% to retailers; 4.5% to expenses and up to 0.5% profit to the operator depending on performance.

National Planning Policy Framework

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many representations his Department received on the draft National Planning Policy Framework; and if he will list any such representations.

John Penrose: This Department has received a number of representations from a range of groups on the draft National Planning Policy Framework. We have encouraged all of these bodies to contribute to the consultation exercise being run by the Department for Communities and Local Government which closed on 17 October 2011.

Radio Frequencies

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will ensure that universal broadband access at a minimum of 2MB/s is a priority following the sale of 800, 700 and 600 MHz spectrum.

Edward Vaizey: Ofcom's current coverage proposal for the combined auction of the spectrum at 800 MHz and 2600 MHz includes providing a service of not less than 2 Mbps to 95% of the population. It is the Government’s stated aim to ensure that broadband for all would be available at 2 Mbps by 2015. Consideration of the future of the 700MHz band is at a very early stage. Ofcom published a call for input into the future of the band earlier this year and intends to consult on this in the near future. Ofcom are currently considering how and when to make spectrum at 600 MHz available, although this spectrum could be used for broadcast rather than telecommunications services.

Radio: Licensing

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Ofcom licence application process for radio stations.

Edward Vaizey: Ofcom works independently of Government, and Ministers do not make assessments of the effectiveness of their licensing process for radio stations. However, all of Ofcom's licensing processes are conducted in line with the relevant statutory provisions.

Sign Language

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the number of sign language users in the UK who use (i) British Sign Language and (ii) an alternative form of sign language as their primary means of communication.

Edward Vaizey: This Department (DCMS) has not commissioned any research into the number of users of British Sign Language (BSL), or other alternative forms of sign language, in the UK. DCMS understands that the number of users is not formally recorded. In undertaking its review of relay service provision in the UK, Ofcom, the independent national telecoms regulator, has drawn on a number of sources of data and quotes the figure of 50,000 BSL users (source: Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People, now known as Signature). The Council does not indicate how many of these people use BSL as their primary means of communication.

Sign Language

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the potential growth in the number of British Sign Language interpreters as a result of the introduction of (i) restricted and (ii) unrestricted video relay services.

Edward Vaizey: This Department has not commissioned any research into the potential growth in the numbers of British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters which might arise as a consequence of the introduction of commercially available video relay services, restricted or otherwise, in the UK. According to the UK register of Sign Language Interpreters there are 682 interpreters qualified at the appropriate level for commercial video relay provision (‘Member of the Register’ level), up from 519 since Ofcom, the independent national telecoms regulator, published its consultation on relay service provision in the UK at the end of July. The register is a public document available at:
	http://portal.nrcpd.org.uk/search/
	Independent contributions submitted in response to Ofcom's consultation estimate the number of interpreters needed to deliver an unrestricted video relay service was 2,053 full-time equivalents. However, it is good practice for interpreters to move between the video relay studio and field interpreting, so the figure required is likely to be significantly higher.

Sports: Schools

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what progress his Department made in recruiting School Games Organisers; how many are in post; and if he will make a statement.

Hugh Robertson: Sport England has now awarded grant funding to 424 of the 450 schools which will host the School Games organisers. We expect all organisers to be in post by the end of December 2011.

Sports: Schools

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many schools are currently participating in School Games; how many will participate in competitions at each level prior to the London 2012 Olympics; and if he will make a statement.

Hugh Robertson: On 1 November 2011, a total of 8,541 schools had registered to be part of the School Games during the school year 2011-12. Schools will report back on their participation in the School Games at the end of the school year.

Sports: Schools

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has to continue funding for School Games beyond the end of 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Hugh Robertson: My Department is funding School Games until 2014-15. Over the period 2010-11 to 2014-15, £130.9 million Exchequer and lottery funding will be invested to support the programme.

Tickets: Touting

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has to tackle ticket touting for sporting events.

Hugh Robertson: The Government have no current plans to extend existing legislation, covering the resale of tickets.

UK Sport: Sport England

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the performance of UK Sport in the preparation of elite athletes for the London 2012 Olympics; and if he will make a statement.

Hugh Robertson: I will place copies of the Department's 2011-12 funding agreement with UK Sport in the House Libraries. This sets out the key performance indicators against which UK Sport's performance will be judged at the end of the financial year. During the year my officials conduct quarterly performance review meetings to determine progress towards these performance indicators and at the end of the reporting year I will conduct an annual performance review. Nevertheless, at this stage of the London cycle, both ourselves and UK Sport are confident that our Olympic and Paralympic teams will meet their London 2012 target of top four and second respectively in the medal tables at London 2012, winning more medals in more sports.

UK Sport: Sport England

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the performance of Sport England in increasing participation in sport; and if he will make a statement.

Hugh Robertson: I will place copies of the Department's 2011-12 funding agreement with Sport England in the House Libraries. This sets out the key performance indicators against which Sport England's performance will be judged at the end of the financial year. During the year my officials conduct quarterly performance review meetings to determine progress towards these performance indicators and at the end of the reporting year I will conduct an annual performance review.
	We are determined to get more people playing sport as a legacy from London 2012 and we will continue to hold national governing bodies to account for the delivery of their whole sport plans. I am confident that with the inspiration of the games in 2012, and a new approach with a clearer expectation of concrete results in return for Government investment, we will see the benefit at grassroots level.

UK Sport: Sport England

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what savings to the public purse he expects to achieve from the merger of UK Sport and Sport England; and if he will make a statement.

Hugh Robertson: We are currently considering the merger of UK Sport and Sport England. Final decisions, including the structure and governance of the new organisation, have not yet been taken. As such, precise figures on savings cannot be provided at this stage.

UK Sport: Sport England

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how spending on participation in sport and elite sports performance will be monitored following the merger of UK Sport and Sport England; and if he will make a statement.

Hugh Robertson: This is still under consideration but we expect that the monitoring of spending will be broadly similar to the current arrangements. However, as part of the CSR settlement, both UK Sport and Sport England were told to reduce their expenditure on administration by 50%.

UK Sport: Sport England

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how the performance of the body formed from the merger of UK Sport and Sport England will be measured against the performance of its predecessors; and if he will make a statement.

Hugh Robertson: This is still under consideration. In general, the Department manages the performance of its public bodies through funding agreements, containing key performance indicators.

UK Sport: Sport England

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has to ensure that support for elite athletes in preparation for the Rio 2016 Olympics continues following the merger of UK Sport and Sport England; and if he will make a statement.

Hugh Robertson: It is anticipated that performance support functions currently undertaken by UK Sport will be maintained in any new structure. This will ensure no loss of momentum in performance support through to Rio. In addition, UK Sport intends to make funding awards to Olympic and Paralympic sports for the Rio cycle in December 2012, before any changes take place.

TREASURY

Banks: Finance

Michael Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he made of the value of (a) RBS and (b) Lloyds Banking Group on (i) 7 May 2010 and (ii) 1 November 2011.

Mark Hoban: The Government does not routinely value either RBS or Lloyds Banking Group (LBG). This information is already publicly available from a wide variety of sources.
	The Government does, however estimate the value of its shareholdings in these banks. The most recent official estimate of the value of the Government's shareholdings in RBS and LBG is contained in the Treasury's resource accounts for 2010-11 which show the value of these holdings as at the end of March 2011 was £55.3 billion.
	The OBR also publish the estimate of the expected net overall cost of the financial sector interventions, which includes details of the value of the Government's shareholdings in RBS and Lloyds. The next publication of this estimate will be on 29 November as part of their Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

Biofuels

Caroline Nokes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fiscal steps he is taking to support the growth of the sustainable biodiesel industry.

Chloe Smith: The Government support biofuels, including biodiesel, through the renewable transport fuel obligation administered by the Department for Transport. As part of its consultation on implementing the transport elements of the renewable energy directive, the Department for Transport has proposed providing twice the financial support to sustainable waste-derived biofuels as will be provided to conventional biofuels. Under this double certification arrangement a litre of biofuel from wastes would currently yield around 40 pence per litre.

Business: Loans

Owen Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on lending of the recent increase in the London Interbank Offered Rate.

Mark Hoban: Money market rates have seen some upward pressure in recent months, reflecting concerns regarding the euro area crisis. Banks in the UK have gone into this period of market difficulty in a much better position than the previous crisis on both capital and liquidity. The Bank of England has reported that credit availability in Q3 2011 remained broadly unchanged for businesses and increased slightly for households. We will continue to monitor this closely as market volatility persists.

Child Benefit

Ian Austin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of child benefit recipients with (a) one, (b) two and (c) three or more children who are resident outside the UK.

David Gauke: The main purpose of child benefit is to support families living in the UK. Consequently, the general rules for this benefit do not provide for it to be paid in respect of children who are resident outside this country.
	However, child benefit is a family benefit under EC Regulation 883/2004 on social security co-ordination and I therefore refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 6 September 2011, Official Report, columns 400-401W, to the hon. Member for Peterborough (Mr Jackson). Information about the number of children each claimant receives child benefit for would be available only at disproportionate cost.

Commodity Markets: Food

Julian Huppert: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the conclusion in the OECD Agricultural Outlook 2011-20 report on the relationship between speculative activity in futures markets and the price of agricultural goods.

Mark Hoban: The analysis presented in the OECD Agricultural Outlook 2011-20 report is consistent with the Government's view that speculation in agricultural futures and options markets is unlikely to have been a significant causal factor in recent agricultural price spikes.

Council Tax: Swindon

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many properties in Swindon were in each council tax band in the latest period for which figures are available.

David Gauke: The number of dwellings in each council tax band in Swindon unitary authority, as at 30 September 2011, are shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Council tax band Number of dwellings 
			 A 13,990 
			 B 26,230 
			 C 22,850 
			 D 15,310 
			 E 7,880 
			 F 2,970 
			 G 1,240 
			 H 60 
			 Total 90,520 
			 Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding. 
		
	
	The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) publishes counts of dwellings by council tax band for each local authority in England and Wales on a quarterly basis. Figures for the end of September 2011 can be found on the VOA website in the following location:
	http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/statisticalReleases/131011 _CouncilTaxValuationListSummary.html
	This publication will next be updated in January 2012 to include statistics for end December 2011.

Departmental Billing

Mike Freer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average cost to his Department was of processing the payment of an invoice in the latest period for which figures are available; and what proportion of invoices settled in that period his Department paid (a) electronically and (b) by cheque.

Chloe Smith: The average cost of processing an invoice for the Treasury Group in 2010-11 was £6.00. Of the 11,920 invoices settled in that period, 99.7% were settled electronically and 0.3% by cheque.

Departmental Buildings

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) building and (b) refurbishment projects his Department plans in the (i) current and (ii) next financial year; and what the cost of each such project will be.

Chloe Smith: HM Treasury is currently taking forward a space consolidation project in 1 Horse Guards road to halve the amount of space the Treasury uses. The project will increase the occupancy of the building and provide a modern, efficient and effective workplace. I will write to the hon. Member with costs for the project once a contract is awarded and deposit a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 his Department has received in each month since May 2010; how many responses given in each such month disclosed (a) the full information requested, (b) part of the information requested, with some information withheld under exemptions in the Act and (c) none of the information requested; and in respect of how many requests received in each such month (i) (A) substantive and (B) holding responses were issued within 20 working days of the date of receipt, (ii) no substantive response was issued within 40 working days of the date of receipt and (iii) no substantive response has yet been issued.

Chloe Smith: Statistics on the Treasury’s performance under the Freedom of Information Act are published quarterly by the Ministry of Justice, with annual reports being placed in the House Library. These publications are available at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/foi/implementation-editions.htm
	The data published complies with the reporting requirements for central Government Departments which were agreed by Parliament. The figures are available both as quarterly and annual statistics. Information has been published up to the second quarter of 2011. Future publications will be made by the Ministry of Justice.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in respect of how many responses to requests for information received by his Department under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the reason of (a) commercially sensitive information, (b) information not held, (c) information too costly to provide and (d) vexatious or repeated requests has been given in response since January 2010.

Chloe Smith: Statistics on the Treasury’s performance under the Freedom of Information Act are published quarterly by the Ministry of Justice, with annual reports being placed in the House Library. These publications are available at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/foi/implementation-editions.htm
	The data published complies with the reporting requirements for central government departments which were agreed by Parliament, and the figures are available as quarterly or annual statistics. Information has been published up to the second quarter of 2011. The reports contain the data sought in parts a), b), c) and d) of the question.

Departmental NDBPs

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officials were (a) directly and (b) otherwise employed by non-departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible (i) in 2000, (ii) in 2005, (iii) in 2007, (iv) in 2010 and (v) on the most recent date for which figures are available.

Chloe Smith: HM Treasury currently has two NDPBs. The Royal Mint Advisory Committee became the Treasury's responsibility in January 2010 and does not employ any civil servants. The Office of Budget Responsibility was established in April 2011 and employed 17 civil servants at the. end of September 2011. HM Treasury has not been responsible for any other NDPBs since 2000.

Departmental Pay

Michael Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total monetary value of London weightings and London living allowances for staff in his Department.

Chloe Smith: HM Treasury pays members of senior civil service payband 1 a London allowance of £2,000 per annum. The total cost of the allowance in 2010-11 was £151,000. Staff below the senior civil service do not receive a London allowance. These payments reflect the need to compete with other London-based organisations to attract suitable senior staff.
	No additional London living allowances or weightings are paid although the Department does have a London rate of basic pay which is higher than the rate paid to staff employed outside London.

Departmental Pay

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officials in his Department received a pay rise other than by promotion in the last two years; and what the average increase was in each such year.

Chloe Smith: The two year public sector pay freeze announced in the emergency Budget on 21 June 2010 applied to HM Treasury in 2010 and 2011. Under the terms of the freeze, those earning a full-time equivalent salary of less than £21,000 were to receive an annual salary increase of at least £250. This was the only basis for civil servants in HM Treasury to receive a pay rise other than promotion in the last two years. The number of staff affected and the average increase is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of staff Average increase   (percentage) 
			 2010 145 1.3 
			 2011 94 1.3

Departmental Pay

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officials in his Department received a bonus in each year since 2007.

Chloe Smith: Non consolidated bonus payments are made to staff who have performed exceptionally well in two circumstances in their role. These are:
	1. Non-consolidated bonus payments linked to the annual staff appraisal report;
	2. Special bonuses paid to staff in year to recognise specific contributions or pieces of work.
	Non-consolidated bonus payments are paid in the year following the year for which performance is appraised. So, payments made in 2011-12 are made in respect of the 2010-11 appraisal year.
	The number of civil servants receiving a non-consolidated bonus under either of the categories above in the years since 2007 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Performance year Payment year Number of staff 
			 2006-07 2007-08 717 
			 2007-08 2008-09 696 
			 2008-09 2009-10 1,073 
			 2009-10 2010-11 541

Departmental Work Experience

Luciana Berger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many unpaid and expenses-only internships (a) his Department and (b) each public body for which he is responsible employed in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Chloe Smith: In the last 12 months there have been fewer than five unpaid and expense only interns employed by HMT and arm’s length bodies.

Diesel Fuel: Agriculture

Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will examine the merits of an exemption for the use of red diesel in farm vehicles belonging to farmers who are requested by county and parish councils to volunteer to assist with gritting rural roads;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with HM Revenue and Customs on its review of enforcement policies in respect of the unpaid one-off use of red diesel in farm vehicles for the purposes solely for the benefit of the community.

Chloe Smith: Ministers have asked HMRC to conduct an internal review of policy on the use of rebated fuel in agricultural vehicles. As part of that review, HMRC will consider instances of unremunerated voluntary work.

Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation

Michael Fallon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many payments have been made under the Equitable Life Payment Scheme up to 31 October 2011.

Mark Hoban: The scheme will be publishing a report in due course on the volumes and values of payments made.

Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation

Michael Fallon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) officials in his Department and (b) other staff are employed in administering the Equitable Life Payment Scheme.

Mark Hoban: The Equitable Life Payment scheme is being delivered by NS&I on the Treasury's behalf and there are 186 people currently administering the scheme.

Excise Duties: Fuels

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date he plans to implement the rural fuel duty discount scheme.

Chloe Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24 October 2011, Official Report, column 20W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire (Simon Hart). The Government plan to implement the rural fuel discount scheme as soon as possible following EU level agreement.

Excise Duties: National Lottery

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the Health Lottery on lottery duty receipts; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: The health lottery was launched on 29 September 2011. Several months of data would be required to determine the effect of the health lottery on lottery duty receipts.

Green Investment Bank

Luciana Berger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 27 October 2011, Official Report, column 308W, on the Green Investment Bank, in the event that the £2 billion target is not reached from the sale of assets whether the Government plan to fund the shortfall from general taxation.

Chloe Smith: The Government's plan is to provide £2 billion from asset sales towards the Green Investment Bank. They are confident that the sales they are considering will be sufficient.

Individual Savings Accounts: Stocks and Shares

Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to allow shares listed on the Alternative Investment Market to be held within an individual savings account.

Mark Hoban: ISAs are the Government's main non-pensions savings incentive, and act as a mainstream savings product held by over 23 million people. The Government believes that ISAs are a trusted brand, and that it is important that this is maintained.
	The Government therefore does not intend to allow shares listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM)-which generally carry a higher level of investment risk, and can be less liquid - to be qualifying investments for ISAs.
	The Government agrees that it is important that small and growing companies are supported, and companies listed on AIM can benefit from other incentive schemes, such as investments made through the Enterprise Investment scheme and Venture Capital Trusts.

Learning Disability

John Leech: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will meet representatives of the learning disability sector to discuss implementation of the steps to provide services for people with a learning disability following the outcome of the Dilnot Commission.

Chloe Smith: Treasury Ministers and officials meet with and receive representations from a wide range of stakeholders including the learning disability sector as part of the usual policymaking process.
	The Government welcome the work of the Commission on the Funding of Care and Support, chaired by Andrew Dilnot, and its final report. The Government are currently considering these proposals, and plan to publish a response to the Commission's report alongside a social care White Paper in the spring.
	To inform that response, the Department of Health has launched “Caring for our future: shared ambitions for care and support”, and plans to engage with people who use care and support services, carers, local councils, care providers and the voluntary sector about the priorities for improving care and support. Representatives of the learning disability sector are actively contributing to these discussions.

Personal Savings

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will discuss with financial institutions the competitiveness of their savings products and the incentives which they offer to savers.

Mark Hoban: The Government understand the difficulties faced by savers in the current climate, and recognise the importance of a competitive market for savings products. Treasury Ministers regularly meet with representatives of financial institutions, and discuss the products offered to savers where it is appropriate to do so.

Private Sector: Pay

David Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on high salaries, bonuses and pension arrangements paid to prominent figures in the private sector.

Edward Davey: I have been asked to reply
	The Government believe that executive remuneration that is well structured and rewards senior executives who contribute to long-term success is an important way of promoting sustainability and growth. However, there are concerns about the disconnect between how our largest listed companies perform and the rewards that are on offer and this is not sustainable.
	On 19 September, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills published a discussion paper on executive remuneration. The paper explores the link between executive pay and company performance and invites views on how this link can be strengthened. Submissions are being sought by 25 November, after which the Government will consider their response.

Taxation

Michael Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the effects of each of the tax changes made by his Department for the purpose of reducing the deficit on each income decile since May 2010; and what the average annual effect per capita is of such changes on persons in each of those deciles;
	(2)  what proportion of planned reductions in (a) public expenditure and (b) benefits he estimates will be borne by each income decile; and what the minimum annual income is of each decile group.

David Gauke: holding answer 20 October 2011
	It is the impact of the tax and benefit system as a whole that is important for households. Over the last three fiscal events the Government have published detailed analysis of the distributional impacts of reforms for tax, tax credit and benefit changes, and has shown the cumulative impacts of these reforms on households. Charts A.2 and A.3 of Budget 2011 show the most recent analysis by income decile, and present estimates in cash terms and as a percentage of net income. This analysis shows that, when looking at the cumulative impact of reforms introduced by this Government, it is clear that the top decile contributes the most to the fiscal consolidation, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of net income.
	Chart A.6 of Budget 2011 shows the Government's best estimate of the overall impact of reforms on households, including changes to public services. Due to data limitations analysis is shown at a quintile level to limit the number of assumptions that have been made.
	Income deciles are calculated by ordering households by their income and dividing them into 10 equally sized groups. As households with more individuals require higher levels of household income and expenditure to achieve the same standard of living, an internationally standard process of adjustment called equalisation is used to ensure households are compared on an equal basis. Further details on this can be found in the Data Sources document accompanying Budget 2011. The following table sets out the lower bounds for equivalised income deciles used at Budget 2011. Note these estimates have been rounded to the nearest £1,000.
	As this is equivalised income, the ranges below do not show net (or gross) incomes for households within the bands. Rather for a particular decile they contain a wider range of net incomes, some of which will lie outside of the bands themselves. For example, a household with a combined net income of £25,000 containing a couple and two children aged seven and 15 years old would have an equivalised net income of around £16,340. This is calculated as follows:
	Factor: 0.67 + 0.33 + 0.20 + 0.33 = 1.53.
	Equivalised net income: £25,000/1.53 = £16,340.
	Given this, it is not valid to interpret the bands as net (or gross) incomes or make statements on the impacts of policies using that interpretation.
	
		
			 Income decile £ 
			 2 13,000 
			 3 16,000 
			 4 18,000 
			 5 20,000 
			 6 23,000 
			 7 26,000 
			 8 31,000 
			 9 37,000 
			 10 48,000

VAT: Medical Treatments

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on the inability of NHS trusts to recover VAT on medical treatments compared to the ability of dispensing pharmacists to do so; and what representations he has received from patients and pharmacists on collection of prescriptions from their local pharmacists which are taken into hospitals to be administered.

David Gauke: The Government keep all tax matters under review. The general principles are that the provision of free health care and the dispensing of medication by an NHS hospital are not treated as being a "business" activity for VAT purposes. Consequently, the NHS is unable to recover from HMRC the VAT it incurs on drugs. However, the funding that NHS bodies receive from the Department of Health takes account of this irrecoverable VAT.
	The dispensing of drugs by a pharmacist is a business activity for VAT purposes and is zero-rated provided that the drugs are dispensed for the personal use of the patient on the prescription of an appropriate practitioner. In these circumstances the pharmacist will be able to recover from HMRC the VAT they have been charged on the purchase of the drugs.

Working Tax Credit: Older Workers

Ian Austin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people working (a) between 16 and 29 hours per week and (b) over 30 hours per week in (i) England, (ii) the West Midlands and (iii) Dudley borough are in receipt of the working tax credit 50+ return to work payment.

David Gauke: The following table provides the requested information for 2009-10—the latest finalised year for which data is available.
	
		
			 Average number of households in receipt of the 50+ return to work elements (2009-10) 
			  Dudley Borough West Midlands England 
			 Between 16 and 29 hours 20 525 5,139 
			 Over 30 hours per week 39 760 6,528

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Adam Werritty

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether (a) he, (b) officials of his Department and (c) special advisers in his Department have met Mr Adam Werritty on official business since May 2010; and how many such meetings took place (i) on his Department's premises and (ii) elsewhere.

Edward Davey: No Ministers, special advisers or the Permanent Secretary have had any meetings with Mr Adam Werritty. Disproportionate costs would be incurred in checking whether any officials had ever met him but it is considered unlikely.

Basic Skills

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans his Department has to improve adult literacy and numeracy.

John Hayes: The Government are continuing to fund courses for adults who lack basic literacy and numeracy skills, so that they can get the skills they need to function in society, progress onto further training and employment, and to operate more productively in work.
	Following the publication of “Skills for Sustainable Growth”, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has been undertaking a review of literacy and numeracy provision for adults in order to improve economic and personal returns through making this provision more effective.

Business: Employment Tribunals

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the findings of the British Chambers of Commerce Workforce Survey: Small Businesses, on the frequency with which small businesses face the prospect of employment tribunals.

Edward Davey: We are aware from the Survey of Employment Tribunal Applications 2008, published by the Department, that 36% of employment tribunal claims related to organisations with less than 50 employees.
	The Government understand that small businesses are likely to feel the impact of employment laws more than larger businesses, so is considering whether more needs to be done to discourage unmeritorious claims, as part of proposals to encourage employers and employees to settle disputes before they get to tribunal. We will publish the Government response to the recent consultation on Resolving Workplace Disputes in the coming weeks. Discussions with key stakeholders, including business organisations, were ongoing throughout the consultation period.

Business: Entry Clearances

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 15 September 2011, Official Report, column 1343W, on business: entry clearances, from which organisations he has received representations about the impact of the Tier 2 limit on business forward planning.

Mark Prisk: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has ongoing contact with business representatives from across all sectors on a range of issues including migration.
	Since June 2011 we have had representations about the impact of the tier 2 limit on business forward planning from one company in the IT industry and one company in the manufacturing sector.

Business: Surveys

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has made an assessment of the findings of the British Chambers of Commerce report entitled, Workforce Survey—Small Businesses relating to small business owners' perception of the flexibility of the UK labour market compared to that of other EU member states and the US.

Edward Davey: We have examined as far as possible all of the comparable international evidence on labour market flexibility. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Jobs Study Review of 2006 summarises most of this evidence in ‘Boosting jobs and income—policy lessons from reassessing the OECD Jobs Strategy’ and I draw attention to some of the following conclusions in it:
	“The experience over the past two decades shows that there is no single combination of policies and institutions to achieve and maintain good labour market performance. For example, it is not necessary that all individual policies are aimed at strong labour market performance, provided that adverse stances in some policy areas are more than compensated for by favourable settings in other areas, e.g. by exploiting policy interactions. This allows some scope to tailor policy packages to suit national preferences with respect to equity, risk-taking and other objectives. However, in practice there are few feasible policy combinations to achieve satisfactory employment outcomes.”
	The study also identified the UK as a ‘successful employment performer’ and suggested that it fell into a group of countries that are ‘market reliant’ which include light employment protection in its policy package. Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland and the United States are the other countries identified in this group by the OECD.
	The OECD also identified another group of countries as ‘successful performers’ with different but successful policy packages. These include Austria, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
	The Government, through their employment law and growth reviews, aim to build upon this and foster greater employment and growth.

Common and Leasehold Reform Act 2002

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if his Department has any plans to review the operation of the Common and Leasehold Reform Act 2002.

Jonathan Djanogly: I have been asked to reply.
	Part 1 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 created commonhold as a freehold alternative to long leasehold ownership for flats and other interdependent properties. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for this Part of the Act. Part 2 of the Act introduced new rights and protections for residential leaseholders and is the responsibility of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	The Government have no plans to review the Act but existing regulations in the leasehold sector are being scrutinised as part of the major cross-government exercise known as the 'Red Tape Challenge'.

Construction

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent steps his Department has taken to support the construction industry.

Mark Prisk: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 31 October 2011, Official Report, column 463W.

Counterfeit Manufacturing: Trade Agreements

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his proposed timetable is for signing and ratifying the anti-counterfeiting trade agreement.

Edward Davey: The Government are considering their position following the recent parliamentary scrutiny clearance of the European Commission's proposals for the signing and agreement of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA).

Counterfeit Manufacturing: Trade Agreements

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has for scrutiny of the anti-counterfeiting trade agreement.

Edward Davey: The European Commission's proposals for the signing and agreement of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement were submitted to the House of Commons and House of Lords EU Select Committees for parliamentary scrutiny on 14 July 2011. The proposals cleared scrutiny in the House of Commons on 9 September 2011 and in the House of Lords on 14 October 2011.

Departmental Advertising

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department has spent on advertising job vacancies since May 2010.

Edward Davey: Since May 2010, the Department has recorded spend of £11,819 against the specific ledger code for the direct advertising of job vacancies.
	The Department does not separately identify advertising costs which form part of a departmental or cross-Government recruitment campaign, therefore, cannot provide any additional response without incurring disproportionate costs.

Departmental Data Protection

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 25 October 2011, Official Report, columns 221-22W, on departmental data protection, for what reasons a bookkeeper was provided with access to a Minister's diary; and if he will name the Minister and bookkeeper concerned.

Vincent Cable: The Minister's diary contains both their official and personal engagements. Sending it to the Minister's bookkeeper retrospectively enables them to keep track of the Minister's affairs.

Departmental Lost Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department has lost any (a) computers, (b) mobile telephones, (c) BlackBerrys and (d) other IT equipment since May 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Davey: Central records show the following items lost or stolen since May 2010:
	(a) Computers: seven
	(b) Mobiles: No central records available
	(c) BlackBerrys: 49
	(d) Other IT: three (3G cards).

Departmental Pay

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will estimate the total monetary value of London weightings and London living allowances for staff in his Department.

Edward Davey: The total monetary value of London weightings and London living allowances is approximately £10,581,415 per annum, based on current staff numbers.
	This figure is an estimate based on the current weighting element of £3,500 which is included in our London pay rates and pension and employer-related national insurance contributions. To obtain an accurate figure for pension and national insurance costs would involve checking individual records and would entail disproportionate costs.

Departmental Pay

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many civil servants in his Department received a pay rise other than by promotion in the last two years; and what the average increase was in each such year.

Edward Davey: The following table shows the number of civil servants in the Department of Business, Innovation of Skills (BIS) who received an increase in salary other than by promotion in 2010 and 2011.
	
		
			   Average increase 
			  Number of staff receiving a salary increase Percentage Amount (£) 
			 2010-11 (1)1,905 2.4 888 
			 2011-12 (2)1,492 2.3 857 
			 (1) The figures above include civil servants working for BIS who received the annual pay award as of 1 August. There may be other instances where individuals may have received a pay increase at different times in the each of the above years due to completion of their probationary period or a late payment of the annual pay award due to a return to BIS payroll from absence. This information is not held centrally so to provide this additional information would entail disproportionate cost. (2) This is not the final figure for 2011-12 as there as a small number of outstanding payments due to be processed this year. 
		
	
	BIS entered the two-year pay freeze for civil service staff in 2010. Under the pay freeze guidance staff on full-time equivalent earnings of under £21,000 a year are eligible for a pay increase of at least £250.
	Progression payments have also been made to a proportion of BIS staff outside the senior civil service in both 2010 and 2011 where they have a contractual entitlement.

Departmental Press: Subscriptions

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department spent on newspapers, periodicals and trade profession magazines in 2010-11.

Edward Davey: In 2010-11, the Department spent a total of £60,308 on newspapers, periodicals and trade profession magazines.

Departmental Procurement

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of procurement contracts offered by his Department have been advertised on the Contracts Finder website since the website's inception.

Edward Davey: BIS, including UK Trade and Investment, has advertised 100% (15 of its 15) Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) contract requirements on Contracts Finder since the website's inception. Of these seven were core-BIS contracts and eight were UKTI contracts.
	BIS and UKTI policy is to procure through existing frameworks where they exist. Such advertisements are not required to be published on Contracts Finder.
	Further information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Procurement

Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans his Department has to increase the number of small suppliers through its procurement processes.

Edward Davey: BIS is fully committed to supporting the raft of initiatives announced by the Prime Minister on 11 February 2011 at the Small Business summit. We are currently working with Cabinet Office colleagues on optimising opportunities through procurement processes.
	“Value for money” is the deciding factor when we award contracts competitively but, given our wider responsibility, we strongly encourage small and SME businesses to bid for departmental contracts they believe they could fulfil.
	Details of practical actions include:
	Ongoing use of the ‘Contracts Finder’ website launched in February. Contracts Finder is a free facility for small and SME businesses to find online public sector procurement and subcontracting opportunities above £10,000 in a single location.
	Prompt payment targets. Prompt payment is vital to businesses and is of particular importance to small businesses and SMEs. To support our suppliers, the Department aims to pay all invoices within five working days. In the period April to September this year, an average of 94.6% of all invoices were paid within this target period.
	For suitable contracts, BIS aims going forward to notify its tendering requirements in advance by use of a prior information notice (PIN) for its Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) procurements. This will provide a greater degree of notice to the market, enabling small businesses and SMEs to be better placed to bid as either prime or subcontractors.
	BIS is currently running an ‘Open’ OJEU procurement exercise in close co-ordination with the Cabinet Office team responsible for SME issues. The Open procedure does not utilise a pre-qualification stage, reducing the administrative burden for bidders, including SMEs, when bidding for Government opportunities. We are looking to commence another two Open procedures within the next three months.
	To support small and SME businesses build skills and capacity and to support such businesses access public procurement opportunities more generally, BIS has designed, with input from across both the public and private sectors, a free online public procurement training course "Winning the Contract" available on the Businesslink website at:
	http://www1.learndirect-business.com/business-courses/winning-the-contract
	The course is a free, nationally available resource which aims to make the public procurement process more transparent and more accessible to small businesses.

Departmental Publications

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects to publish his Department's strategy for innovation.

David Willetts: The Department intends to publish its Innovation and Research Strategy later this year.

Departmental Written Questions

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many questions for written answer on a named day were submitted to his Department between 10 May 2010 and 31 October 2011; and how many were answered within the specified time period.

Edward Davey: The Department aims to answer named day questions on the date specified by the Member. Where it is not possible to provide a full answer within the usual deadline, the Department believes it will usually be preferable to provide an answer a few days late than to provide an incomplete answer. During the period 10 May 2010-31 October 2011 a total of 1,469 named day parliamentary questions were due for answer of which 969 (66%) received a substantive reply on the date requested by the Member.
	The figures have been drawn from the Department's database which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Franchises

Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to promote franchising as a business model.

Mark Prisk: Detailed guidance on franchising has been published on the following website:
	www.businesslink.gov.uk
	in partnership with the British Franchising Association. More specific guidance on franchising for new businesses and those thinking of starting a business will appear on the new My New Business area of the site when launched on 14 November 2011. A new syndication offer will also be launched on 25 November that will enable third party organisations to reuse all content on the Business Link website free of charge, including content relating to franchising.
	We are transforming the way that we enable people to receive the information, advice and guidance they need to start and grow their business. Our new approach to Government services and advice for business is based on: digital services which provide high quality information and advice, accessible when businesses need them; and face to face advice provided by business people for business people, not by the public sector.
	We are:
	Revamping the Business Link website:
	www.businesslink.gov.uk
	introducing two new online services; a dedicated "My New Business" area developed by experts to provide training, tools and checklists for those looking to start a business; and the new Growth and Improvement Service which will provide new tools to help businesses understand the issues they face, plus a business support and an events finder tool so businesses can find out what is available to them locally.
	Establishing a national helpline to help people find what they need on the web and for those who cannot access the web.
	Encouraging businesses to seek a business mentor to help them develop their business and encouraging mentoring organisations to offer access to their mentors through a mentoring portal:
	www.mentorsme.co.uk
	Setting up a new Business Coaching for Growth (BCG) Programme to enable small businesses with high growth potential to realise their potential.

Further Education

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what financial support is available to adult learners undertaking non-science, technology, engineering and medical access to higher education courses in further education colleges.

John Hayes: Further education colleges receive discretionary learner support (DLS) funding for the purpose of helping those adult learners who are in most need of financial support to enter and remain in study. In 2011/12, colleges have been allocated DLS funding amounting to approximately £101 million. The responsibility for making awards from DLS funding sits with colleges, who are best placed to assess the needs of their learners.

Higher Education

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure that higher education institutions charging in excess of £6,000 per annum for tuition from September 2012 are sharing best practice on widening participation.

David Willetts: Institutions intending to charge more than the £6,000 basic amount for tuition must first demonstrate to the independent Director of Fair Access what more they will do to attract students from disadvantaged backgrounds. These plans are finalised in approved Access Agreements.
	The powers of the director of fair access were established by the Higher Education Act 2004 and include a power to identify good practice in connection with access to higher education and to give advice about such practice.
	Ministers at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills wrote to the director of fair access on 10 February 2011 setting out the Government's expectations about how he should approach the approval and monitoring of new access agreements. The guidance set out significantly increased expectations for the priority that institutions should give to fair access and widening participation. In particular we identified the effectiveness of collaborative working on widening participation, recognising that many institutions were already doing this and that access agreements should build on that work. We also highlighted that such collaboration also encourages the sharing of good practice. The director mirrored Governments' advice in his own guidance to the sector in March on how to develop access agreements.
	The Government have committed through the recent White Paper 'Students at the Heart of the System' (June 2011) to strengthen the Office for Fair Access (OFFA), so that it can provide more active and energetic challenge and support to universities and colleges. We will want to work with the director on the size and structure of OFFA but will make significantly more resources available, increasing capacity up to around four times its original level. This would equip OFFA to use fully its powers to monitor and review access agreements and identify and promote best, evidence-based practice.

Higher Education

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the potential effects on the international reputation of British universities of his proposal to grant degree awarding powers to institutions which do not provide teaching or research.

David Willetts: The aim of the Government's proposals for higher education reform, including the proposal to decouple degree awarding powers from teaching, is to drive greater diversity and competition to improve the range and quality of provision available to students while safeguarding the strong international reputation of English universities. Any organisation, including non-teaching bodies, wishing to acquire taught degree awarding powers will, as now, have to meet specific criteria to determine if it is fit to exercise the powers being sought. We are currently reviewing the degree awarding powers criteria as part of those reforms but believe that broadly the same principles as set out in the current criteria can and should apply and that the key principles will be applicable to non-teaching bodies as well.

Higher Education Funding Council

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 25 October 2011, Official Report, columns 215-6W, on the Higher Education Funding Council, when he expects data on future funding for (a) postgraduate research, (b) postgraduate taught masters and (c) PhD student numbers for (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15 to be available; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) receives notification from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) of its overall budget allocation in advance of each new financial year. HEFCE will announce its funding allocations, including for postgraduate provision, for the relevant academic year once it has considered any guidance provided by BIS on the use of its annual grant.

Higher Education: Admissions

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many UCAS applications have been submitted by residents of (a) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency, (b) the borough of Middlesbrough, (c) the borough of Redcar and Cleveland, (d) the Tees Valley and (e) the north-east in the 2011-12 admissions cycle to date; and how many such applications had been submitted on the same date in the 2010-11 admissions cycle.

David Willetts: The information is in the following table and has been provided by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
	
		
			 Applicants to UCAS as at October 15 by parliamentary constituency/region 
			  Admission cycle 
			 Area of domicile 2010-11  (2) 2011-12  (3) 
			 Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency(1) 74 68 
			 The borough of Middlesbrough 54 31 
			 The borough of Redcar and Cleveland 53 45 
			 The Tees Valley 410 322 
			 The north-east 1,827 1,558 
			 (1) Parliamentary constituency has been identified using the home postcode regardless of declared area of permanent residence. (2) Applicants applying to enter courses starting in autumn 2011. (3) Applicants applying to enter courses starting in autumn 2012. 
		
	
	UCAS have stated year-on-year changes for all courses at this early stage in the cycle are often different from the position later in the cycle, and that it is too early in the cycle to extrapolate applicant volumes forward. The main deadline for the majority of UCAS courses is 15 January.

Insolvency

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses were (a) liquidated and (b) put into administration in each year between 2000-01 and 2010-11.

Edward Davey: Official statistics are published around calendar years, and figures for (a) compulsory and creditors' voluntary liquidations and (b) administrations are presented in the Quarterly Insolvency Statistics, the latest publication of which covers 2001 to 2010 and can be found on the Insolvency Service website here:
	http://www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov.uk/otherinformation/statistics/201108/index.htm
	Tables 1, 4 and 6 cover liquidations in England and Wales (E&W), Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively; tables 3 and 5 cover administrations in E&W and Scotland, respectively. Official statistics for administrations in Northern Ireland are not available.
	Annual figures for 2011 will be available from 3 February 2012, and historic data are also published covering years before 2001.

Insolvency Service: Regulation

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans his Department has to review the regulation of the Insolvency Service.

Edward Davey: At present operation of The Insolvency Service is regulated through the requirement to produce, and lay in Parliament, an annual corporate plan, as well as annual fees orders, which sets the fees charged by official receivers for their work in dealing with bankruptcy and insolvency case administration. For The Services' work in company investigation and enforcement, and redundancy payments, funding is set through allocations made from BIS and HMRC respectively and the level of this allocation is made in response to submissions from The Service to each Department, as part of their wider budget setting.
	For all areas of The Service, the corporate plan sets out its vision for delivering services, with particular emphasis on its plans and targets for the coming year. The plan is reviewed by BIS to ensure that its goals are realistic and that targets are achievable within the resources available, and yet are set at a level to stretch the organisation and not allow complacency.
	Performance against the targets and budgets thus set is reported to the Minister on a quarterly basis.
	There are no plans to make substantive changes to this reporting process.

Nanotechnology

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the status is of the UK Nanotechnologies Strategy published in March 2010.

David Willetts: holding answer 3 November 2011
	The UK Nanotechnologies Strategy of March 2010 has been a useful source of views and input that has informed our thinking on nanotechnology, which has evolved, and is underpinned by the view that nano-scale technologies should be thought of on a case-by-case basis given the wide range of materials and processes with diverse properties, benefits and implications for health and the environment.
	Together with Lord Taylor of Holbeach, I recently held a roundtable discussion to inform our thinking on how Government can in the future help industry have confidence to invest in successful and responsible commercialisation and for consumers to be confident that the manufacture, integration, use and subsequent disposal of nano-enabled products will not have adverse impacts on their health or the wider environment.
	We are currently reflecting on the outcomes of this discussion, but the Government are committed to enabling the successful and responsible commercialisation of nano-scale technologies, and these technologies, remain an important strand of activity across a number of Government Departments and partner bodies such as the Research Councils and the Technology Strategy Board.

Non-governmental Organisations

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much direct funding over £100,000 his Department provided to non-governmental organisations in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; how much funding he plans to provide to such organisations in (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Davey: The information is not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Regional Growth Fund

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the monetary value is of the winning bids to the second round of the Regional Growth Fund in each region.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 3 November 2011
	It is not possible to provide final information on the monetary value of each winning bids to the second round of the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) in each region as the offer of a grant is conditional and will be finalised once contracts are signed. However, a list of successful second round of RGF bidders by region is available on the BIS website:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/RGF

Regional Growth Fund

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  which (a) Ministers and (b) Departments were represented at meetings held by the ministerial group chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister to consider recommended bids for the second round of the Regional Growth Fund put forward by its Independent Advisory Panel;
	(2)  how many meetings were held by the Ministerial Group under the chairmanship of the Deputy Prime Minister to consider recommended bids for the second round of the Regional Growth Fund; and on what dates such meetings took place.

Mark Prisk: The ministerial group has met a number of times to consider all bids submitted in both rounds and the independent panel recommendations; all the relevant Departments were represented.

Regional Growth Fund: Job Creation

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what methodology his Department used to calculate the figures for indirect job creation from the winning bids announced from the second round of the Regional Growth Fund.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 3 November 2011
	All of the figures for indirect job creation from the winning bids announced from the second round of the Regional Growth Fund on 31 October 2011 were taken directly from the bids submitted from successful bidders. Where direct or indirect jobs were incorrectly classified, jobs were put under the correct heading. Progress towards the Job Target specified in the Grant Offer Letter will be monitored quarterly.

Shareholders

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 1 November 2011, Official Report, column 590W, on companies, if he will bring forward proposals to encourage active shareholder participation in annual general meetings for the purposes of scrutinising (a) executive remuneration, (b) corporate performance and (c) related shareholder value.

Edward Davey: On 19 September, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills published a discussion paper on executive remuneration in large listed companies. The paper explores the link between executive pay and company performance and invites views on how this link can be strengthened. It includes a range of proposals designed to empower shareholders with the tools and information they need to be active company owners.
	Submissions are being sought by 25 November, after which the Government will consider their response.

Students: Fees and Charges

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has conducted an equality impact assessment of the proposed changes to further education fee structures with regards to access to higher education courses.

John Hayes: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills recently conducted a public consultation on further education (FE) loans, as part of a wider consultation on FE strategy called ‘New Challenges, New Chances’. The consultation on FE loans asked for views on whether the introduction of loans would create any particular barriers to those wanting to access learning. The Department has also commissioned research on the potential impact of FE loans. Responses to the public consultation and the findings of the research will be used to inform an equality impact assessment of the FE loans policy, to be published in April 2012.

Student Loans Company

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions his Department has had with the Student Loans Company on improving its customer service since May 2010.

David Willetts: The Department is committed to supporting the Student Loans Company (SLC) in its efforts to deliver a more successful Student Finance England service and to ensure students and their families get the service they need.
	The Department’s officials have regular discussions with SLC to review its performance and efficiency, including the Student Finance England service.

Students: Loans

Paul Uppal: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has to tackle delays in processing student loan applications experienced by some new students.

David Willetts: The Student Loans Company (SLC) is responsible for administering the student finance service on behalf of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable). By 14 October 2011, SLC had received 1,001,000 eligible applications for core financial support from English-domiciled students for the 2011/12 academic year, of which 904,000 (90%) had been prepared for payment to be made once attendance on the course had been confirmed by the university or college.
	SLC is committed to continuously improving its performance and is implementing a number of measures to improve the quality of service it delivers. This includes improved training for staff, simpler web-based information, advice and guidance, and processing improvements, including to ICT based systems. This year SLC introduced an electronic link with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs to automatically verify household income, meaning that SLC was able to process the majority of new students' applications for means-tested support without asking customers to send in financial evidence.

CABINET OFFICE

Charities

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what grants his Department made to charitable organisations in each of the last five years.

Nick Hurd: The Cabinet Office began its programme of grants to charitable organisations from 2007-08. A list of direct grants to organisations for 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 (not including funds passed to arm’s length bodies to distribute as grant funding on behalf of the Cabinet Office) has been placed in the Library of the House. For grants in 2010-11, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 17 October 2011, Official Report, column 733W.

Civil Servants: European Union

Martin Horwood: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many and what proportion of civil servants in the UK work primarily on EU matters (a) in each Government Department and (b) at civil service grade; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: Information on the numbers of civil servants in the UK working primarily on EU matters is not held centrally. In the Cabinet Office, 32 staff in the European and Global Issues Secretariat are employed specifically on work that covers both European and wider global affairs, 1.9% of the core Cabinet Office staff complement. This includes staff at the following grades:
	1 x Perm Sec
	1 x Director (SCS2)
	3 x Deputy Director (SCS1)
	15 x Band A (Grade 6/7)
	4 x Band B2(HEO/SEO)
	2 x BandB1 (EO)
	6 x Band C (AA/AO)

Death: Pancreatic Cancer

David Amess: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) males and (b) females aged (i) between 14 to 16, (ii) between 17 and 21, (iii) between 22 and 24, (iv) between 25 and 30, (v) between 31 and 35, (vi) between 36 and 40 and (vii) over 41 years died from pancreatic cancer in each health authority area in each year since 1990.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated November 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many (a) males and (b) females aged (i) between 14 to 16, (ii) between 17 and 21, (iii) between 22 and 24, (iv) between 25 and 30, (v) between 31 and 35, (vi) between 36 and 40 and (vii) over 41 years died from pancreatic cancer in each health authority area in each year since 1990, broken down by health authority. (78679)
	Tables 1 and 2 provide the number of deaths where pancreatic cancer was the underlying cause of death for (a) males (Table 1) and (b) females (Table 2) aged (i) 14 to 40 years and (ii) 41 years and over, for primary care organisations in England and local health boards in Wales, for 1990 to 2010 (the latest year available). Figures for young age groups have been combined due to small numbers of events, in line with the ONS policy on protecting confidentiality within birth and death statistics.
	Copies of Tables 1 and 2 have been placed in the House of Commons Library. Table 3 attached provides the number of deaths where pancreatic cancer was the underlying cause of death for (a) males and (b) females aged (i) 14 to 16 years, (ii) 17 to 21 years, (iii) 22 to 24 years, (iv) 25 to 30 years, (v) 31 to -35 years, (vi) 36 to 40 years and (vii) 41 years and over, in England and Wales, for 1990 to 2010.
	
		
			 Table 3. Number of deaths where the underlying cause was pancreatic cancer: by sex and age group, England and Wales, 1990 to 2010  (1, 2, 3) 
			 Deaths (persons) 
			  14 to 16 17 to 21 22 to 24 25 to 30 31 to 35 36 to 40 41+ 
			 Males        
			 1990 0 0 0 3 6 7 2,866 
			 1991 0 0 0 3 4 12 2,823 
			 1992 0 0 0 4 3 18 2,815 
			 1993 2 0 0 2 4 13 2,780 
			 1994 0 0 0 1 4 15 2,718 
			 1995 0 0 0 3 5 13 2,717 
			 1996 0 0 1 2 6 12 2,784 
			 1997 1 0 0 1 5 17 2,743 
			 1998 0 0 0 2 8 19 2,769 
			 1999 0 0 1 0 3 20 2,767 
			 2000 0 0 0 2 9 14 2,941 
			 2001 0 0 0 1 9 22 2,822 
			 2002 0 0 0 0 4 20 2,943 
			 2003 0 0 0 2 8 18 3,028 
			 2004 0 0 0 1 5 14 3,013 
			 2005 0 0 1 0 6 14 3,072 
			 2006 0 1 0 1 5 14 3,237 
			 2007 1 1 0 3 4 16 3,289 
			 2008 0 0 0 2 3 12 3,359 
			 2009 0 0 0 2 5 12 3,448 
			 2010 1 0 0 2 3 18 3,422 
			         
			 Females        
			 1990 0 1 2 0 5 14 3,024 
			 1991 0 0 0 2 5 10 2,973 
			 1992 0 1 1 2 3 17 2,998 
			 1993 0 0 0 3 7 12 2,954 
			 1994 0 1 1 0 3 9 2,977 
			 1995 1 0 0 3 4 9 3,017 
			 1996 0 0 1 3 4 10 3,009 
			 1997 0 1 0 2 4 12 2,956 
			 1998 0 0 0 0 6 10 2,947 
			 1999 0 0 0 0 4 13 3,089 
			 2000 0 0 0 1 2 10 3,084 
			 2001 0 0 1 0 2 8 3,137 
			 2002 0 0 0 1 4 17 3,156 
			 2003 0 0 0 0 5 8 3,164 
			 2004 0 1 0 4 4 11 3,243 
			 2005 0 0 0 2 1 11 3,372 
			 2006 0 0 0 0 3 6 3,305 
			 2007 0 0 1 0 3 8 3,514 
			 2008 0 0 0 1 3 7 3,535 
			 2009 0 0 0 0 4 12 3,653 
			 2010 0 0 0 3 3 14 3,596 
			 (1 )Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code 157 and Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code C25. (2 )Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. (3 )Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  how many requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 his Department has received in each month since May 2010; how many responses given in each such month disclosed (a) the full information requested, (b) part of the information requested, with some information withheld under exemptions in the Act and (c) none of the information requested; and in respect of how many requests received in each such month (i) (A) substantive and (B) holding responses were issued within 20 working days of the date of receipt, (ii) no substantive response was issued within 40 working days of the date of receipt and (iii) no substantive response has yet been issued;
	(2)  in respect of how many responses to requests for information received by his Department under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the reason of (a) commercially sensitive information, (b) information not held, (c) information too costly to provide and (d) vexatious or repeated requests has been given in response since January 2010;
	(3)  which Minister in his Department is responsible for determining whether exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 should apply to responses to requests for information made under the Act; and which other Minister is responsible for making such determinations should the subject matter of the request fall within the ministerial responsibilities of the Minister with lead responsibility.

Francis Maude: Quarterly and annual statistics on the handling of requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) by central Government, including the Cabinet Office, are available on the Ministry of Justice website at:
	www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/foi/implementation.htm
	A breakdown of the information along the lines requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The number of responses since January 2010 where the Cabinet Office gave the following reasons in response to requests for information under the FOIA are (a) commercial sensitivity: 47; (b) information not held: 441; (c) information too costly to provide: 277; and (d) vexatious or repeated requests: four.
	Cabinet Office officials normally determine whether the exemptions at part II of the FOIA should apply to responses to requests for information received under the FOIA. The exemption at section 36 of the FOIA (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) can, however, only apply if in the reasonable view of a ‘qualified person’ disclosure of the information being requested would have one of the specified prejudicial effects. In the case of the Cabinet Office, the ‘qualified person’ is a Minister of the Crown.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether he receives any external funding for (a) his ministerial office and (b) his advisers; and what the (i) source and (ii) amount is of any such funding.

Francis Maude: The Minister for the Cabinet Office does not receive external funding for: (a) his ministerial office; or (b) his advisers.

Departmental Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which post in his Department is responsible for overseeing the security clearance vetting process for staff of (a) his Department and (b) 10 Downing Street; how many staff report to this post; and at what civil service grades.

Francis Maude: The departmental security officer (DSO), a senior civil servant in the Cabinet Office, is responsible for overseeing the national security vetting process for Cabinet Office staff, including those in the Prime Minister's Office.
	Three members of staff are engaged on national security vetting work and report to the DSO.

Public Sector: Procurement

Julian Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to encourage public sector organisations outside central Government to reduce the use of pre-qualification questionnaires.

Francis Maude: At an SME Strategic Supplier summit held on 11 February, we announced a series of measures to make it easier for SMEs to compete for Government contracts, available at:
	www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/news/government-opens-contracts-small-business
	Public sector organisations outside central Government are responsible for their own procurement decisions, but many choose to follow central Government policies and practices. Baroness Eaton, while chair of the Local Government Group, signalled local government support for the measures the Government announced on 11 February, particularly the use of a shortened, simplified and standard set of core questions to be used in pre-qualification.

Suicide

Liz Kendall: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the rate of suicide per 100,000 population was by sex in each (a) month, (b) quarter and (c) year since 2007-08 to date; and what the total number of suicides was in each such period.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated November 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what has been the rate of suicide per 100,000 population by sex in each (a) month, (b) quarter and (c) year since 2007-08 to date; and what the total number of suicides was in each such period. (78572)
	Tables 1 to 3 provide the age-standardised rate per million population and the number of suicides for males and females aged 15 years and over, in each (a) month (Table 1), (b) quarter (Table 2) and (c) year (Table 3), in England and Wales, for 2007 to 2009 (the latest year available).
	Rates have been provided per million population due to small numbers of events in each month.
	Annual mortality statistics are usually based on deaths registered in each calendar year (January to December) for timeliness. However, figures provided in this Answer are based on suicides that occurred in each period until the end of 2009, which is more appropriate for seasonal analyses. This also takes account of late registrations following coroner inquests. Therefore, figures may differ from the annual suicide data already published on the ONS website at:
	www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/subnational-health4/suicides-in-the-united-kingdom/2009/index.html
	
		
			 Table 1. Age-standardised suicide rate per million population and number of suicides for persons aged 15 years and over: by sex and month, England and Wales, 2007 to 2009  (1, 2, 3, 4) 
			  2007 2008 2009 
			  Rate per million Number Rate per million Number Rate per million Number 
			 Males       
			 January 13 279 14 308 15 316 
			 February 12 256 12 256 11 237 
			 March 12 250 13 292 12 251 
			 April 14 297 13 289 13 295 
			 May 14 294 14 309 14 303 
			 June 14 298 13 288 12 264 
			 July 13 269 14 314 12 265 
			 August 12 255 12 263 12 264 
			 September 11 237 12 260 11 253 
			 October 10 215 12 255 11 244 
			 November 9 193 9 189 10 228 
			 December 9 200 11 245 9 203 
			        
			 Females       
			 January 4 86 4 85 4 99 
			 February 4 98 4 104 3 80 
			 March 3 79 4 98 3 79 
			 April 4 87 4 87 3 72 
			 May 4 84 5 106 3 78 
		
	
	
		
			 June 4 92 4 81 4 85 
			 July 3 63 5 103 3 78 
			 August 3 73 4 84 3 69 
			 September 3 74 4 81 4 95 
			 October 3 70 4 88 4 90 
			 November 3 64 3 65 4 87 
			 December 3 58 3 68 3 58 
			 (1 )Age-standardised mortality rates per million population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. (2) Suicide was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes X60-X84 and Y10-Y34. (3) Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. (4) Figures are for deaths which occurred in each month. Deaths were excluded where the month of occurrence was unknown. 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2. Age-standardised suicide rate per million population and number of suicides for persons aged 15 years and over: by sex and quarter, England and Wales, 2007 to 2009  (1, 2, 3, 4) 
			  Rate per million Number Rate per million Number Rate per million Number 
			 Males       
			 January-March 36 785 39 856 37 804 
			 April-June 41 889 40 886 39 862 
			 July-September 35 761 39 837 36 782 
			 October-December 28 608 32 689 31 675 
			        
			 Females       
			 January-March 11 263 13 287 11 258 
			 April-June 12 263 12 274 10 235 
			 July-September 9 210 12 268 11 242 
			 October-December 8 192 9 221 10 235 
			 (1) Age-standardised mortality rates per million population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. (2) Suicide was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes X60-X84 and Y10-Y34. (3) Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. (4) Figures are for deaths which occurred in each quarter. Deaths were excluded where the month of occurrence was unknown. 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 3. Age-standardised suicide rate per million population and number of suicides for persons aged 15 years and over: by sex, England and Wales, 2007 to 2009  (1, 2, 3,4) 
			  Rate per million Number 
			 Males   
			 2007 141 3,045 
			 2008 150 3,270 
			 2009 143 3,123 
			    
			 Females   
			 2007 40 928 
			 2008 46 1,050 
			 2009 41 970 
			 (1) Age-standardised mortality rates per million population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. (2) Suicide was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes X60-X84 and Y10-Y34. (3) Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. (4) Figures are for deaths which occurred in each calendar year. Deaths were included where the month of occurrence was unknown.

Unemployment: Young People

Liam Byrne: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people under the age of 25 years were (a) unemployed and (b) claiming jobseekers' allowance in each month since May 2010 by (i) region and (ii) constituency.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated November 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people under the age of 25 years were (a) unemployed and (b) claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in each month since May 2010 by (i) region and (ii) constituency. (79153)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. Estimates of unemployment for the requested age group are not available for parliamentary constituencies.
	Table 1 shows the levels of young people aged 16 to 24 years who were unemployed and resident in each government office region for the 12 month periods ending March 2010 and March 2011 from the APS.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	Tables 2&3 show, the number of young people aged 16 to 24 claiming Jobseeker's Allowance resident in each government office region and constituency respectively in each month since May 2010 up to the latest period available in September 2011. As the information requested is quite extensive, a copy has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
	
		
			 Table 1. The number of people aged 16-24 unemployed in each region. 
			  12   m  onths to March 2010 12   m  onths to March 2011 
			 North-east 48,112 48,606 
			 North-west 120,865 109,742 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 90,992 82,756 
			 East midlands 65,511 63,755 
			 West midlands 89,943 86,842 
			 East 75,969 68,001 
			 London 114,921 109,389 
			 South-east 108,208 98,166 
			 South-west 66,917 59,658 
			 Wales 49,377 49,197 
			 Scotland 70,855 84,700 
			 Northern Ireland 21,342 22,346 
			 Source: Annual Population Survey

Voluntary Work: Young People

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which National Citizen Service pilot projects operating in summer 2012 will charge participants to participate; and how much each such project plans to charge each participant.

Nick Hurd: Approximately half of the National Citizen Service pilot projects in 2012 are trialling the use of small individual fundraising targets for young people, refundable deposits or fees in order to promote young people's commitment to the programme. All pilots have measures in place including bursaries and waivers to ensure that ability to pay is never a barrier to participation in the programme.
	
		
			 NCS pilot provider name Individual fundraising target or fee (£) Refundable deposit (£) 
			 Academy of Youth 25 n/a 
			 Bolton Lads and Girls Club 30 n/a 
			 Catch22 n/a n/a 
			 Changemakers 30 — 
			 Connexions Cumbria Ltd n/a n/a 
			 Engage4Life Consortium n/a n/a 
			 Envision n/a 20 
			 Football League Trust 50 n/a 
			 Future Foundations Training Ltd 50 n/a 
			 Fylde Coast YMCA n/a n/a 
			 Global Action Plan 50 n/a 
			 Groundwork UK 50 n/a 
			 Jewish Lads and Girls Brigade n/a 50 
			 Lincolnshire and Rutland Education Business Partnership n/a n/a 
			 Luton Culture n/a n/a 
			 National Youth Agency n/a n/a 
			 New College Nottingham 80 n/a 
			 Oxfordshire County Council n/a n/a 
			 Partnership Network 50 (1)— 
			 Petroc n/a (1)— 
			 Safe in Tees Valley Ltd n/a n/a 
			 Salford Foundation n/a n/a 
			 Sefton CVS n/a n/a 
			 The Challenge Network 35 n/a 
			 Transitions Plus UK n/a n/a 
			 v. The National Young Volunteers' Service n/a n/a 
			 Young Devon Consortium 50 n/a 
			 Young Lives n/a n/a 
			 Your Consortium n/a n/a 
			 (1) Small deposit, to be confirmed

Voluntary Work: Young People

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office in which locations he proposes that National Citizen Service pilots will operate in summer 2012.

Nick Hurd: National Citizen Service pilots will take place in 95% of upper tier local authority areas in England in 2012. A full list of locations and providers will be published shortly on the Cabinet Office website.

Voluntary Work: Young People

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) looked-after children and (b) care leavers participated in each National Citizen Service pilot in summer 2011.

Nick Hurd: Detailed figures across all 2011 pilots are not currently available but the largest NCS provider, The Challenge Network, which delivered over 3,100 places in 2011, reports that 3% of its participants had been looked-after children, indicating that participation among young people from this background was significantly higher than their prevalence in the population as a whole. National Citizen Service is open to young people aged 15 to 16 in the summer after year 11.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Lobbying

Jon Trickett: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent (a) representations he has received and (b) meetings he has had with lobbying firms about lobbying transparency.

Nicholas Clegg: I have received no representations, nor had any meetings with lobbying firms about lobbying transparency.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Departmental Written Questions

Jon Trickett: To ask the Attorney-General 
	(1)  how many parliamentary questions for written answer on a named day by the Law Officers’ Departments were answered (a) on time, (b) five days late, (c) 10 days late, (d) 20 days late and (e) over 30 days late in each month since May 2010;
	(2)  how many parliamentary questions for (a) ordinary written answer and (b) written answer on a named day by the Law Officers’ Departments have remained unanswered for a period of two months since May 2010;
	(3)  whether draft answers to parliamentary questions prepared by officials in the Law Officers’ Departments are cleared by special advisers (a) before and (b) after the relevant Minister.

Dominic Grieve: Since May 2010, the Attorney-General’s Office has answered approximately 86% of the ordinary written questions it has received within a sitting week of being tabled. Of the ones that were answered later than this, none remained unanswered for a period of two months or longer.
	The information requested on questions for named day answer is contained in the following table.
	
		
			 AGO parliamentary questions for answer on a named day 
			  Answered on time Five sitting days late 10 sitting days late 20 sitting days late Over  30 sitting days late 
			 2010      
			 May 0 0 0 0 0 
			 June 8 0 0 0 0 
			 July 1 0 0 0 0 
			 August 0 0 0 0 0 
			 September 0 1 0 0 0 
			 October 9 0 0 0 0 
			 November 10 2 0 1 0 
			 December 6 0 1 0 0 
			       
			 2011      
			 January 3 0 0 0 0 
			 February 3 0 0 0 0 
			 March 4 0 0 0 0 
			 April 2 0 0 0 0 
			 May 2 0 0 0 0 
			 June 3 .0 1 0 0 
			 July 9 0 ' 0 0 0 
			 August 0 0 0 0 0 
			 September 2 0 0 0 0 
			 October 4 1 0 0 0 
			 Total 66 4 2 1 0 
		
	
	The Law Officers’ Departments do not employ any special advisers.

PRIME MINISTER

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Prime Minister how many of his (a) officials and (b) special advisers accompanied him on his recent visit to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

David Cameron: As set out in the Ministerial Code, details of my overseas travel are published quarterly.

Lord Young of Graffham

Iain Wright: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  whether Lord Young has an office in No. 10 Downing street; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many meetings at 10 Downing street Lord Young of Graffham attended between November 2010 and October 2011; and (a) what the purpose was and (b) who attended each such meeting.

David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow North West (John Robertson) on 3 November 2011, Official Report, column 730W.

Ministerial Policy Advisers

Jon Trickett: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  how many special advisers in Pay Band Two have a salary (a) between £55,000 and £58,000 and (b) between £58,000 and £58,199; and in which Department each such adviser is based;
	(2)  pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 19 July 2011, Official Report, columns 110-13WS, on special advisers, what the name is of each special adviser in post on the most recent date for which information is available; and what the pay band or actual salary of the adviser is.

David Cameron: An updated list of special advisers, and their pay bands, is published quarterly. This is available on the Cabinet Office website
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/special-adviser-data-releases

HEALTH

Ambulances

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 25 October 2011, Official Report, column 192W, on ambulances, what assessment he has made of the involvement of the UK vehicle industry in the new emergency ambulance design.

Simon Burns: The design of new emergency ambulance vehicles has been undertaken by the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design at the Royal College of Art, in conjunction with NHS London as a research partner, and with other stakeholders. The design process remains at prototype.

Care Homes

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contingency plans he has put in place in the event of the future financial failure of care home providers.

Paul Burstow: There are existing mechanisms for overseeing social care providers. Care home operators must be registered by the Care Quality Commission. Local authorities have legal duties to provide residential accommodation for people in need of care and attention which is not otherwise available to them, as set out in Section 21 of the National Assistance Act 1948.
	In the light of the recent experience of Southern Cross, the Department has published a discussion paper, “Oversight of the Social Care Market”, a copy of which has been placed in the Library, to explore how best to ensure service continuity in social care. The discussion paper invites views on the issue by 2 December 2011.

Carers’ Benefits: Suffolk

Daniel Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (a) how much and (b) what proportion of expenditure was spent by NHS Suffolk on the carers grant in each year since 1997.

Paul Burstow: The carers' grant is paid to local authorities, not to the national health service. Since 2010-11 the funding has been paid to councils through the local government revenue support grant.
	The following table shows the carers' grant allocated to Suffolk county council each year since the grant was set up in 1999:
	
		
			 Carers' grant allocated to Suffolk county council since 1999 
			  £ 
			 1999-2000 251,000 
			 2000-01 580,000 
			 2001-02 810,000 
			 2002-03 984,000 
		
	
	
		
			 2003-04 1,164,000 
			 2004-05 1,450,000 
			 2005-06 2,156,000 
			 2006-07 2,216,000 
			 2007-08 2,264,000 
			 2008-09 2,859,000 
			 2009-10 3,082,000 
			 2010-11 3,310,000 
			 Note: Figures rounded to nearest 1,000

Dental Services: Schools

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reintroduce national school dental checks.

Simon Burns: We are committed to improving the oral health of school children but have decided against the reintroduction of school screening checks. In 2006, the National Screening Committee (NSC) advised that the routine dental screening of children in primary schools was ineffective in improving children's oral health. The NSC found that children, who were identified as requiring treatment, were not accessing a general dental practice where it could be provided.

Departmental Legal Opinion

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many times his Department sought legal advice from external counsel in (a) 2007, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) the first six months of 2011;
	(2)  what the cost was of (a) internal and (b) external legal advice commissioned by his Department in the first six months of 2011;
	(3)  how many times his Department's legal section provided legal advice to Ministers in (a) 2007, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) the first six months of 2011;
	(4)  how many officials in his Department were working in its legal section in June 2011; and how many staff were working in the legal departments of his Department's agencies and non-departmental bodies;
	(5)  how much his Department spent on (a) legal advice and (b) instructing counsel in (i) 2007, (ii) 2009, (iii) 2010 and (iv) the first six months of 2011; how many times (A) his Department was taken to court and (B) a decision taken by his Department was subject to a judicial review; and what the outcome was of each such (1) case and (2) review.

Simon Burns: Information on how many times the Department has sought legal advice from external counsel, how many times the legal advice has been provided to Ministers, and how many times the Department has been taken to Court or the subject of a judicial review, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. To gather it would involve a retrieval of non-electronic files and then a search over a three and a half year period by legally qualified personnel.
	The Department made payments of £3,287,741 to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Treasury Solicitors and other Government Departments for internal legal advice for the first six calendar months of 2011. This may include payments to barristers commissioned by DWP on behalf of the Department.
	The Department made payments of £4,622,309 to external commercial legal advisers in the same period. This may exclude some payments to barristers that are commissioned by DWP and included in the payments to DWP.
	Figures for departmental expenditure on legal advice can be provided from July 2008 onwards as this was the point when the Department's Central Procurements Database became operational; to provide figures for earlier periods would involve a file search and thus disproportionate cost. This information is presented here and includes expenditure with external commercial advisers; (DWP) Treasury Solicitors and other Government Departments. The database is unable to provide information separately regarding payments to counsel:
	2008 July to December: £4,455,488.39
	2009: £9,411,355.43
	2010: £13,365,283.46
	2011 January to June: £7,910,050.254.
	The following table shows how many staff were working in the legal departments of the Department's agencies and non-departmental bodies:
	
		
			 Agency/non-departmental bodies How many staff were working in the legal departments in June 2011 
			 Alcohol Education and Research Council 0 
			 Appointments Commission 0 
			 Care Quality Commission 25.8 
		
	
	
		
			 Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence 0 
			 General Social Care Council 6 
			 Health Protection Agency 3 
			 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority 2.5 
			 Human Tissue Authority 1 
			 Monitor 6.6 
			 Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency(1) 6 
			 (1) Denotes executive agency 
		
	
	Internal legal advice for the Department is obtained through a service level agreement (SLA) which the Department has with the DWP (i.e. from legal staff directly employed by DWP). Within DWP, 78.83 full-time equivalent staff provide services to the Department of Health.

Departmental NDPBs

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many officials were (a) directly and (b) otherwise employed by non-departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible (i) in 2000, (ii) in 2005, (iii) in 2007, (iv) in 2010 and (v) on the most recent date for which figures are available.

Simon Burns: The Department's non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) do not employ civil servants directly.
	The following table shows how many civil servants were otherwise employed by the Departments non-departmental public bodies in 2000, 2005, 2007, 2010 and on the most recent date for which figures are available.
	
		
			 Number 
			  Civil servants “otherwise employed” 
			 NDPB 2000 2005 2007 2010 On the most recent date for which figures are available 
			 Alcohol Education and Research Council 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Appointments Commission n/a n/a 8 0 0 
			 Care Quality Commission n/a n/a n/a 4 1 
			 Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence n/a n/a n/a 0 0 
			 General Social Care Council n/a 0 1 0 0 
			 Health Protection Agency 0 1 1 1 0 
			 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority 0 1 2 3 0 
			 Human Tissue Authority n/a 3 2 (1)3 (2)1.5 
			 Monitor n/a 1 1 0 0 
			 (1) Outgoing/incoming chief executive officer's mid-year. (2) Secondee ceased secondment end of September 2011.

Departmental Orders and Regulations

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) statutory instruments, (b) ministerial orders and (c) other pieces of secondary legislation were issued by his Department in (i) 1990, (ii) 1995, (iii) each year since 1999 and (iv) 2011 to date.

Simon Burns: The Department does not have a record of statutory instruments made in 1990 or 1995. However, all statutory instruments are a matter of public record and can be viewed at:
	www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi
	
		
			 Statutory instruments (including orders and regulations) made by the Department of Health 
			  Number 
			 1999 177 
			 2000 214 
			 2001 402 
			 2002 389 
			 2003 189 
			 2004 162 
			 2005 139 
		
	
	
		
			 2006 135 
			 2007 101 
			 2008 131 
			 2009 102 
			 2010 114 
			 2011 (January to October) 68 
		
	
	The Department also issues directions from the Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley). These can be viewed at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Legislation/Directionsfromthesecretaryofstate/index.htm

Departmental Pay

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many officials in his Department and the bodies for which he is responsible earned more than (a) £65,000, (b) £95,000, (c) £140,000 and (d) £175,000 in the last year for which figures are available.

Simon Burns: The information requested for the Department of Health (DH) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is given in the following table. Earnings include base pay, allowances, non-consolidated performance pay and overtime payments.
	
		
			 Organisation Number of staff earning more than £65,000 and less than £95,000 Number of staff earning more than £95,000 and less than. £140,000 Number of staff earning more than £140,000 and less than £175,000 Number of staff earning more than £175,000 
			 DH 288 54 15 7 
			 MHRA 134 18 0 0 
		
	
	No civil servants are employed in the other bodies for which the Department is responsible.

Departmental Pay

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many officials in his Department received a pay rise other than by promotion in the last two years; and what the average increase was in each such year.

Simon Burns: The information requested is given in the following table:
	
		
			 Financial year Number of staff receiving a pay increase Total base pay increase (£) Average increase (£) 
			 2010-11 2,425 3,686,616 1,396 
			 2011-12 84 60,662 25 
		
	
	The Department entered the two-year pay freeze for grades administration officer to grade 6 in 2011-12 with 2010-11 being the final year of a three year settlement. Base pay for senior civil servants was frozen in both years.
	The exceptions to the pay freeze are staff on full-time equivalent earnings of under £21,000 a year who received an increase of £250 in 2011-12.

Departmental Pay

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many officials in his Department received a bonus in each year since 2007.

Simon Burns: The number of civil servants receiving non-consolidated performance-related pay (NCPRP) in the financial years since 2007 is given in the following table.
	
		
			 Financial year Number receiving NCPRP 
			 2011-12(1) 702 
			 2010-11 1,033 
			 2009-10 1,162 
			 2008-09 1,264 
			 2007-08 754 
			 (1 )To 30 September 2011

Departmental Research

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's research and development budget was in each of the last five years; and what that budget will be for each year of the spending review period.

Simon Burns: Expenditure from the Department's central research and development revenue budgets in the years from 2006-07 to 2010-11 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2006-07 690 
			 2007-08 763 
			 2008-09 825 
			 2009-10 885 
			 2010-11 960 
		
	
	The Department's revenue allocations for research and development for each year of the spending review period are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2011-12 1,004 
			 2012-13 1,030 
			 2013-14 1,059 
			 2014-15 1,089

Departmental Work Experience

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many unpaid and expenses-only internships (a) his Department and (b) each public body for which he is responsible employed in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Simon Burns: Information about unpaid and expenses-only internships is not collected centrally. These are arranged by directorates locally. It would incur disproportionate costs to collect the information requested.
	The Department of Health took part in the civil service Whitehall Internship Scheme from 25 July to 5 August 2011, as part of the Government's social mobility strategy. The scheme was developed in response to a pledge in the coalition agreement to provide internships in every Whitehall Department for people from under-represented groups. The Department of Health provided opportunities for three people of school leaving age to work in our Whitehall office, giving them meaningful work experience and an insight into the civil service. The programme was a fully funded residential placement paid for by the Cabinet Office working directly in association with the Social Mobility Foundation. Expenses were met centrally.
	Of the Department's 19 arm's length bodies (ALBs), only five have employed unpaid or expenses-only internships in the last 12 months for which figures are available, as shown in the following table:
	
		
			 ALB Number of unpaid internships Number of expenses-only internships 
			 Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence 0 4 
			 General Social Care Council 0 1 
			 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence 6 0 
			 NHS Blood and Transplant 0 2 
			 Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency(1) 6 0 
			 (1) Denotes executive agency

Diamorphine

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the 2010 Drug Strategy, Reducing Demand, Restricting Supply, Building Recovery and the National Treatment Agency Action Plan 2011-12, what progress has been made on the commitment to explore the wider prescribing of diamorphine based on the Randomised Injectable Opioid Treatment Trial conducted by the National Addiction Centre.

Anne Milton: Funding to take forward this commitment in the drug strategy has been identified for the period up until March 2015. The Department is organising a workshop to facilitate the exchange of information.

Dietary Supplements: Channel Islands

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether Ministers in his Department have any plans to visit the Channel Islands to discuss the implementation of the EU food supplements directive and the nutrition and health claims regulations;
	(2)  whether he has had discussions with representatives of the Government of (a) Jersey and (b) Guernsey on their proposed timetable for implementing the EU food supplements directive and the nutrition and health claims regulations; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  whether he has received any information from representatives of the Jersey and Guernsey governments on the implementation of the (a) food supplements directive and (b) nutrition and health regulations in their respective states; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: As policy responsibility for the Crown dependencies lies with the Ministry of Justice, Health Ministers have not had discussions with the authorities in Jersey and Guernsey and have no plans to visit either Crown dependency on this issue at this time.
	We understand that the Minister of State for Justice, my noble Friend Lord McNally, raised the implementation of the food supplements directive and the nutrition and health claims regulation with the authorities in Jersey and Guernsey. There have also been regular discussions at official level. The Ministry of Justice has received information from both Crown dependencies that they are taking the necessary steps to implement these European Union regulations at the earliest opportunity.

General Practitioners

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with the Chair-elect of the NHS Commissioning Board on his participation in (a) discussions and (b) decisions with an effect on GPs;
	(2)  whether he has discussed with the Chair-elect of the NHS Commissioning Board (a) good governance of the Board and (b) handling of conflicts of interests in relation to GP contracts.

Simon Burns: The Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley), has not discussed these issues with Professor Grant.
	The Department will shortly publish a Framework Agreement with the NHS Commissioning Board Authority. This will include a requirement for executive and non-executive board members to operate within the corporate governance guidelines set out by HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office. It will also indicate that all staff and board members of the authority are to comply with the Cabinet Office's model code of conduct for staff of non-departmental public bodies, which includes guidance on conflicts of interest.

General Practitioners: Telephone Services

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GP surgeries in (a) England, (b) the west midlands and (c) Coventry continue to use telephone numbers that charge patients more than the equivalent cost of calling a geographical number to contact the NHS.

Simon Burns: The Department has made no assessment of the proportion of general practitioner surgeries in England that use telephone numbers that charge patients more than the equivalent cost of calling a geographical number to contact the national health service.
	The Department issued guidance and directions to national health service bodies in December 2009 on the cost of telephone calls, which prohibit the use of telephone numbers which charge the patient more than the equivalent cost of calling a geographical number to contact the national health service. It is currently the responsibility of primary care trusts to ensure that local practices are compliant with the directions and guidance.

General Practitioners: Telephone Services

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that GP surgeries adhere to the amended general medical services regulations on the use of telephone numbers that charge patients more than the equivalent cost of calling a geographical number to contact the NHS.

Simon Burns: It is currently the responsibility of primary care trusts to ensure that that general practitioner surgeries adhere to the amended General Medical Services Regulations on the use of telephone numbers that charge patients more than the equivalent cost of calling a geographical number to contact the national health service.

Hair Dyes: Chemicals

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he holds on the number of injuries caused by para-phenylenediamine in hair dye products in each of the last five years.

Simon Burns: The information requested is not held centrally. However, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has advised that as of 4 November 2011, it had received one suspected adverse drug reaction report in the United Kingdom associated with paraphenylenediamine. This report concerned a multi-constituent product for which the other ingredient is 'Henna'. The reaction reported was 'skin reaction'.

Health Services: Older People

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to improve care for elderly patients in the NHS.

Paul Burstow: The Department commissioned the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to undertake the dignity and nutrition inspection (DANI) programme and its final national report was published last month.
	There are a number of steps the Department is taking to improve care for elderly patients in the national health service including:
	There are a number of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence quality standards commissioned by the Department that are either in place or are being developed for a range of conditions and pathways affecting older people including incontinence, nutrition support in adults, patient experience in adult NHS services, delirium, dementia, osteoarthritis and falls in a care setting.
	One of the eight high impact actions developed for nursing relates to keeping people nourished and getting better, and aims to stop unintentional weight loss and dehydration in patients. This action is taken locally with initiatives such as red trays to identify patients who need help with eating and drinking and better management of charts.
	Since April 2010, it has been a requirement of a hospital’s continuing registration with the CQC that service users are protected from the risks of dehydration and inadequate nutrition.
	Within the NHS Operating Framework and the NHS Outcomes Framework, there are a number of indicators to support better care for older people. These include dementia care, hospital acquired infections, emergency readmission rates, improving recovery from fragility fractures and helping older people to recover their independence after illness or injury.
	The Department is also funding national audits of falls and bone health, dementia, continence and hip fracture.
	Local involvement networks in each local authority area are able to enter and view services to obtain the views and experiences of patients, service users and their families about their experiences of care and treatment at the time they are receiving it. Subject to the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill, local HealthWatch organisations will continue this enter and view activity. This information can be shared with the CQC’s compliance inspectors, which will help to focus the inspection on specific concerns and thereby help the CQC to hold local services to account. Local HealthWatch will also be the champion for public and patients, service users and carers in health and social care services. HealthWatch England will be able to use information from local HealthWatch, and elsewhere, to form a national picture of services. Locally and nationally, HealthWatch will have a remit to make recommendations about how services could or should be improved.
	The Department supports the “Partnership on dignity in care”, which has been established by the NHS Confederation, Age UK and the Local Government Group. The Partnership aims to help drive improvements in the levels of care provided to older people in hospitals and care homes and has an independent commission which is currently taking evidence.

Health Services: Older People

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints were recorded relating to inadequate care of elderly patients in NHS facilities in (a) 2007, (b) 2008, (c) 2009, (d) 2010 and (e) 2011.

Simon Burns: This information is not collected centrally.

Hospitals: Accountability

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to increase the accountability of management staff in NHS hospitals.

Anne Milton: “Enabling Excellence: Autonomy and Accountability for Healthcare Workers, Social Workers and Social Care Workers” (Command Paper 8008, February 2011) recognised the strong concerns about senior managers who have let people down appearing to avoid significant consequences for their actions and that a stronger assurance mechanism is needed.
	While the precise nature of this mechanism will need to be discussed further, on 6 July 2011, the Department commissioned the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence to lead work to agree consistent standards of competence and behaviour for senior national health service leaders.
	This Government are also committed to developing and supporting staff to deliver effective and efficient running of the NHS. The new NHS Leadership Academy, which was announced on 5 July 2011, is being developed to equip future leaders with the skills needed to create a more productive, personalised service and encourage collaboration across disciplines.

Hospitals: Food

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps his Department is taking to ensure elderly patients in NHS facilities receive adequate hydration and nourishment;
	(2)  what consideration his Department has given to the introduction of a universal red tray system in NHS hospitals.

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the report by the Care Quality Commission on the dignity and nutrition inspection programme of 13 October 2011, what steps his Department is taking to improve nutritional care in acute health care settings.

Anne Milton: All providers of regulated activities, including hospitals and care homes, are required by law to have policies in place that protect people from the risks of inadequate nutrition and dehydration. The Care Quality Commission assesses and monitors compliance with this requirement as part of the process of inspection and regulation.
	It is for health and social care providers to develop local nutrition and hydration policies. There are a number of best practice resources and guidelines available to help providers do this. These include the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guideline to help the national health service identify patients who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, and the “Essence of Care” benchmarking system which includes “food and drink”.
	Providers are free to introduce the ‘red tray’ scheme, wherein patients at risk of poor nutrition are identified for special attention. This initiative came from an Essence of Care action plan, and has been adopted by many hospital wards across the country.
	While national initiatives can stimulate thinking and offer guidance on best practice, local nurse leaders, including community team leaders, ward sisters and matrons, are key to setting and maintaining excellent standards of hydration and nutritional care in their clinical areas.

NHS: Aviation

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS paid to each airport in the UK for costs associated with medical landing flights in each of the last three years; how many such landings took place at each airport; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: The information requested is not collected centrally by the Department. The hon. Member may wish to contact individual strategic health authorities to confirm whether any costs have been incurred.

NHS: Pensions

Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total liability was of the NHS Pension Scheme in each year between 1997-98 and 2009-10.

Simon Burns: The total liability of the NHS Pension Scheme in each year between 1997-98 and 2009-10 was as shown in the table.
	The significant changes between some years in the liability levels shown are not due to significant changes in the size of prospective pension payments due from the NHS Pension Scheme. They have occurred due to changes in the discount rate used to convert these future payments into a one-off sum, when calculating the schemes liabilities.
	
		
			 NHS pensions scheme liability table 
			  £ billion 
			 1998-99 67.20 
			 1999-2000 72.20 
			 2000-01 75.00 
			 2001-02 86.80 
			 2002-03 94.61 
			 2003-04 104.26 
			 2004-05 131.34 
			 2005-06 165.40 
			 2006-07 218.00 
			 2007-08 212.50 
			 2008-09 199.50 
			 2009-10 287.60 
			 2010-11 257.70

NHS: Pensions

Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average annual pension is of a retired member of the NHS Pension Scheme with 30 years of continuous service; and what estimate he has made of the average annual pension of such a person following the proposed linkage to the consumer prices index.

Simon Burns: The Government Actuary’s Department estimates that in 2008, the pension of an NHS Pension Scheme member with 30 years continuous service will retire with an average pension of approximately £15,000. This is based on currently contributing members rather than those in receipt of benefits. The average pension of a retired NSH Scheme member with 30 years continuous service is not currently available.
	The proposed linkage to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) instead of the Retail Price Index (RPI) applies to the indexation of pensions in payment. This change does not affect pension benefits until a member draws their pension—at which stage the pension will be uprated in line with inflation over the year to the previous September.
	The difference between RPI and CPI varies from year to year. In September 2010 CPI was 1.5% lower than RPI. Based on the example above, this would have made £225 difference per annum from April 2011 onwards.

NHS: Pensions

Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what comparative assessment he has made of the pension that (a) a member of the NHS Pension Scheme and (b) a private sector worker on a similar salary could expect to receive after 30 years of continuous employment.

Simon Burns: The Government Actuary's Department (GAD) has estimated based on 2008 data, that the average annual pension of an NHS pension scheme member with 30 years service would be approximately £15,000.
	GAD estimates that a member in a private sector ‘defined contribution' pension scheme would have to build up a pension pot of around £450,000 at age 65 to match this figure. It is estimated that this would require pension contributions of around 30 to 40% of pay, depending on what investment returns might be achieved.
	This assessment would not apply to private sector workers with access to defined benefit pension schemes, where the pension entitlement upon retirement is calculated based on factors such as member salary or pensionable service.

NHS: Reorganisation

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which cluster each (a) strategic health authority and (b) primary care trust has been grouped as part of his reorganisation of the NHS.

Simon Burns: The 10 strategic health authorities (SHAS) have been grouped together into four SHA clusters; NHS North of England; NHS South of England; NHS Midlands and East of England and NHS London. The four SHA clusters collectively consist of 50 primary care trust (PCT) clusters, which consist of 151 PCTs across England.
	A list that outlines the grouping of each SHA in the four SHA clusters respectively, the PCT clusters that fall into each SHA and the individual PCTs that fall into each PCT cluster has been placed in the Library.

NHS: Reorganisation

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS clusters have published transition plans for public health services that will be transferred to local authorities in April 2013.

Anne Milton: The four strategic health authority (SHA) cluster directors of public health have been charged with leading public health transitions at the local level. Primary care trusts and local government are responsible for planning the transition of public health responsibilities, and are in the process of developing local plans. Local transition plans are required to be submitted to SHA clusters by 31 March 2012. The Department is not aware of any plans being published to date.

Obesity: Health Services

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS in (a) Swindon and (b) Wiltshire was of obesity-related illness in the latest period for which figures are available; and what the total cost was of NHS healthcare in each such area in that period.

Anne Milton: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the following table.
	
		
			 A count of finished consultant episodes with a primary or secondary diagnosis of obesity for selected primary care trusts (PCTs) of responsibility; 2010-11 
			 PCT Total episodes 
			 Swindon PCT 840 
			 Wiltshire PCT 1,758 
			 Notes: 1. Finished consultant episode (FCE): A finished consultant episode (FCE) is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. Figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year. 2. Number of episodes in which the patient had a (named) primary or secondary diagnosis: The number of episodes where this diagnosis was recorded in any of the 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) primary and secondary diagnosis fields in a Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) record. Each episode is only counted once, even if the diagnosis is recorded in more than one diagnosis field of the record. The ICD-code used to identify obesity is E66. 3. PCT/SHA data quality: In July 2006, the NHS reorganised strategic health authorities (SHA) and primary care trusts (PCT) in England from 28 SHAs into 10, and from 303 PCTs into 152. As a result data from 2006-07 onwards is not directly comparable with previous years. Data has been presented for those SHA/PCTs which have valid data for the breakdown presented here. As a result some SHA/PCTs may be missing from the list provided. 4. Data quality: HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and PCTs in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care. 
		
	
	The amount spent on healthcare services by Swindon PCT and Wiltshire PCT in 2010-11, which is the latest period for which figures are available, is given as follows:
	
		
			 £000 
			 Organisation Primary healthcare Secondary healthcare Other healthcare Total healthcare 
			 Swindon PCT 78,907 225,739 1,031 305,677 
			 Wiltshire PCT 168,423 503,919 164 672,506 
			 Notes: 1. The figures represent the total primary, secondary and other healthcare purchased and provided for the PCTs' resident populations. Expenditure on primary dental and general ophthalmic services is also included, but these are not on the basis of resident populations, since these costs are not directly attributed to PCTs on the basis of a patient's place of residence. 2. 'Other healthcare' as defined in the audited summarisation schedules relates to grants to other bodies for health related capital projects under joint working arrangements. Source: Audited summarisation schedules of Swindon PCT and Wiltshire PCT.

Pancreatic Cancer

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent estimate he has made of the number of lives that could be saved by the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent assessment he has made for benchmarking purposes of survival rates from pancreatic cancer in (a) the UK, (b) the US, (c) Canada, (d) Australia and (e) each other EU member state; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what recent (a) representations he has received from and (b) discussions he has had with members of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Pancreatic Cancer; what response he gave; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: “Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer”, published on 12 January 2011, sets out our ambition to bring England's cancer survival rates in line with the European average by 2014-15. Research has shown that to match the European average we need to save 5,000 additional lives per year.
	This research also shows that if England's survival rates were as good as the best in Europe we would save 10,000 additional lives per year. This figure has also been broken down by tumour site and we estimate that we would save 75 additional lives each year if we matched the best European survival rate for pancreatic cancer.
	We do not know what proportion of this figure of 75 lives could be saved through earlier diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, but we believe achieving earlier diagnosis of cancer is key to improving survival rates for many cancers. We will not be able to deliver on our ambition to deliver improved survival rates by focusing solely on the more common cancers and the strategy sets out our commitment to work with a number of rarer cancer-focused charities to assess what more can be done to encourage appropriate referrals to secondary care for earlier diagnosis. The other key factor likely to influence survival rates for pancreatic cancer is ensuring that all patients have access to the appropriate treatment.
	Departmental officials have already met with a number of these charities, including a pancreatic cancer charity, with the aim of identifying some of the barriers to early diagnosis. Pancreatic Cancer UK has recently requested to meet me to discuss its Campaign for Hope and related issues. My office is currently setting that meeting up and I understand that the charity will also be inviting some parliamentary colleagues. As I understand, there is no All Party Parliamentary Group for Pancreatic Cancer.

Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: Finance

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to assist Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to eliminate its financial deficit in the current financial year; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: This is a matter for the national health service locally. However, we are advised that NHS Peterborough is working closely with Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to help support it to address its financial issues while providing quality, safe services for all the people of Peterborough.
	The hon. Member may wish to contact the Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust directly.

Prescription Drugs

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he has made in introducing the innovation pass in the NHS.

Simon Burns: The Innovation Pass was an initiative announced in the previous Government's Office for Life Sciences (OLS) blueprint with funding of up to £25 million for 2010-11. The Innovation Pass was suspended in July 2010 and we have no plans to reinstate the Pass at this time. The Cancer Drugs Fund, which is providing £200 million funding per year over the period 2011-12 to 2013-14, demonstrates our commitment to improving patient access to innovative medicines.

Prostate Cancer: Health Services

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to increase GPs' awareness of the information contained in the NHS Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme.

Paul Burstow: ‘Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer’ (January 2011) set out that the UK National Screening Committee has asked the Prostate Cancer Advisory Group (PCAG) to explore options for making the Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme (PCRMP) information more accessible to men. This is to ensure that men are well informed about the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer and empowered to request a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test if they want one.
	To raise awareness of the information among general practitioners (GPs), PCAG is in correspondence with the Royal College of General Practitioners about the information on prostate cancer included in the formal education of GPs. PCAG is also developing key messages that every GP should know about prostate cancer which will be disseminated widely once finalised, including via Prostate Action's GP network. In addition, the PCRMP Scientific Reference Group are supporting further work on measuring the levels of PSA testing, which is building in questions around GP knowledge and education about the programme. We are also aware of work being developed by The Prostate Cancer Charity's Testing Choices campaign.

Rare Diseases

Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the chief medical officer will next report on progress made in the field of rare diseases.

Simon Burns: The chief medical officer (CMO) is not expected to produce an update on progress in the field of rare diseases. Action is being taken forward at official level, in conjunction with the devolved Administrations, to produce a United Kingdom plan on rare disease in response to EC Recommendation 2009/C 151/029. The UK plan on rare disease will include a number of measures that should help to address the issues highlighted in the CMO's annual report 2009.

Skin Cancer

Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce the incidence of malignant melanoma.

Anne Milton: In 2011-12, the Department has been funding SunSmart, the national skin cancer prevention campaign, to provide information and advice to the public. This involves a number of activities focusing on sun safety and appropriate sunbed use.
	The Department has also published implementation guidance for local authorities on the Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010 and information for Sunbed Businesses. The purpose of the Act is to prevent those under 18 years from being allowed to use sunbeds in commercial premises.

Skin Cancer: Cornwall

Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the incidence rate for malignant melanoma was in Cornwall in each year since 2005.

Paul Burstow: The information requested is not held centrally by the Department.

Skin Cancer: Drugs

Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence about its draft guidance on Ipilimumab (Yervoy) for the treatment of previously treated unresectable stage III or IV malignant melanoma; and what representations he has received from patient groups on the draft guidance.

Simon Burns: We have had no such discussions with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
	From 14 October to 3 November 2011, we have received 28 representations from hon. Members (including the hon. Member’s question) and members of the public regarding NICE’s draft guidance, including a joint representation from two patient groups.

Southern Cross Healthcare

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the financial stability of operators running former Southern Cross care homes.

Paul Burstow: It is for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to register providers of adult social care services, including care homes.
	The registration process for care providers with the CQC requires that they declare their organisation takes all reasonable steps to remain financially viable. Where the CQC has concerns regarding a declaration, it will ask further questions to determine whether the provider is compliant with Regulation 13 of the CQC (Registration) Regulations 2009, which requires providers to ensure the “financial viability” of their enterprise, before deciding whether to register them.
	Once registered, there is a statutory obligation, under Regulation 15 of the CQC (Registration) Regulations 2009, that providers notify the CQC of changes which will affect their registration. This includes the appointment by a provider of a receiver, liquidator or provisional liquidator.
	The Government are, however, keen to learn lessons from Southern Cross; and are currently looking at whether further oversight of the social care market is required in the future. To inform this work, the Department recently published a discussion paper outlining some key questions on this issue. This can be found on the Caring for our Future website at:
	http://caringforourfuture.dh.gov.uk/

Southern Cross Healthcare

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many former Southern Cross care homes have not yet been transferred to new operators.

Paul Burstow: Of the 591 homes originally operated by Southern Cross, 20 care homes in England remain to transfer to new operators. We expect these to be transferred on 14 November 2011.

Southern Cross Healthcare

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who the new operator is of each former Southern Cross care home.

Paul Burstow: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Southern Cross Healthcare

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings he has had with new operators of former Southern Cross care homes; and whether the meetings included a discussion on the operator's financial stability.

Paul Burstow: It is for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to register providers of adult social care services, including care homes. The registration process for care providers with the CQC requires that they declare their organisation takes all reasonable steps to remain financially viable. Where the CQC has concerns regarding a declaration, it will ask further questions to determine whether the provider is compliant with Regulation 13 of the CQC (Registration) Regulations 2009, which requires providers to ensure the "financial viability" of their enterprise, before deciding whether to register them.
	The Department's Ministers have not met with new operators of former Southern Cross care homes to discuss this matter. Departmental officials will meet with providers to do so as the need arises.

Southern Cross Healthcare

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library all correspondence that has taken place between the Minister of State for Social Care and Southern Cross Healthcare Group since May 2010.

Paul Burstow: The chief executive officer (CEO), Jamie Buchan, of Southern Cross Healthcare first wrote to me on 3 August to introduce himself and to request a meeting to discuss the United Kingdom care sector as a whole and Southern Cross's role within it. This letter did not warn that Southern Cross faced immediate financial difficulties; rather, the letter explained the pressure that a difficult settlement from the forthcoming comprehensive spending review (CSR) would place on Southern Cross's business model, and it explained the improvements that the company's board planned to make to its services. The same letter was received separately from the CEO's personal assistant on 30 July, and a departmental official responded, declining the request for a meeting, on 19 August.
	The CEO wrote again to me on 24 September 2010, referring to the possible implications of the CSR settlement for the care home sector in general. The letter did not raise concerns over the future viability of the company's business model. I responded to this letter on 14 October.
	The Government recognises the pressures on the social care system in this challenging financial climate. That is why on 20 October 2010 the spending review announced the allocation of an additional £7.2 billion to support the delivery of social care in the four years to 2014-15, in addition to ensuring that existing Department of Health grants for social care rise in line with inflation to £1.4 billion by 2014-15.
	The CEO wrote to David Behan, Director General for Social Care at the Department of Health, on 14 October. This letter was the first occasion on which Jamie Buchan alerted the Department to the possibility of the imminent financial difficulties. David Behan met with Jamie Buchan on 8 November and since that point, negotiations have continued between Southern Cross and senior departmental officials. Ministers have liaised closely with officials in order to be kept fully informed of the situation and they have provided clear steers at every stage of negotiations.
	On 15 March 2011, the CEO wrote to update Ministers on the company's position, further to the announcement to the stock exchange of 14 March and to set out the company's commitment to improve the quality of services. This letter was also sent to the Secretary of State for Health, the right hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley), who replied on behalf of the Department on 23 March 2011.
	Copies of the above correspondence have been placed in the Library.

Tuberculosis

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration he has given to implementing the consolidated action plan to prevent and combat multi-drug-resistant and extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis in the World Health Organisation European Region; and what representations his Department has made to the European Commission to ensure sufficient financial resources are available to facilitate the Action Plan's implementation.

Anne Milton: The United Kingdom contributed to the development of the action plan to prevent and combat multi-drug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) in the World Health Organisation European Region, including the formulation of a monitoring framework.
	The Health Protection Agency, through its National Mycobacterium Reference Laboratory, is leading the European network of national reference laboratories assuring the quality of diagnosis for drug-resistant TB and supporting national expertise for the public health and clinical management of MDR and XDR TB. It is also with partners within the European Union developing a clinical/diagnostic trial network.
	There are already measures in place in this country to tackle MDR and XDR TB, which are relatively uncommon. These measures are in line with the action plan.
	We have not made any representations to the European Commission about resourcing of implementation of the action plan's recommendations.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Accountancy: EU Law

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what bilateral meetings his Department had with development agencies of other EU member states in relation to proposed changes to the European accountancy directives and transparency directive.

Alan Duncan: The Department for International Development, Treasury and Department for Business, Innovation and Skills are considering the European Commission's detailed proposals for changes to the transparency directive and accounting directive to introduce mandatory reporting requirements for companies in the extractive industries and will be discussing them with relevant partners and other stakeholders in due course.
	The Government have made clear that the UK supports EU requirements for extractives companies to ensure that they disclose the payments they make to Governments, matching the standards recently set by the Dodd Frank Act in the US.

Afghanistan: Females

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department provides financial support to any women's organisations in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government place women at the heart of our development agenda. The Department for International Development (DFID) takes careful account of the impact on women and girls in the design and implementation of all its projects and programmes
	DFID's global Civil Society Challenge Fund is supporting Womankind and the International Planned Parenthood Foundation to address the human rights and practical needs of women and girls in Afghanistan and elsewhere. DFID is also supporting Zardozi', a local Afghan partner, which helps women tailors and cloth merchants sell their products to markets, working through female agents. This programme has worked with more than 2,000 Afghan women to date and its reach is to be extended.
	During my recent visit to Afghanistan I launched a major new civil society programme that will provide grants to Afghan organisations to help them hold their government to account. The programme will have a strong focus on women's rights and it is hoped that many women's organisations will directly benefit from this programme.

Burma: Children

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding his Department provides for humanitarian and psychological support for former child soldiers from Burma.

Andrew Mitchell: The UK provides significant core funding to UNICEF who deliver programmes of rehabilitation, reintegration, family-tracing and other support to former child soldiers in Burma. Further details of DFID's work in Burma can be found in the DFID Burma Operational Plan, available on the DFID website at:
	www.dfid.gov.uk

Burma: Overseas Aid

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how his Department evaluates the ability of recipient organisations in Burma to meet project objectives and to account properly for aid funds.

Andrew Mitchell: In Burma as in all other countries, DFID officials rigorously review the evidence provided by organisations when they bid for funds. Proposals are assessed against criteria such as:
	the credibility of the link between the planned activities and the results to be achieved;
	the strength of results monitoring plans;
	experience the organisation has of delivering similar projects successfully; and
	the cost-effectiveness of the proposed work.
	During implementation DFID projects are routinely scrutinised to assess whether objectives are on track. They are also evaluated after implementation to assess whether objectives have been met, and to ensure lesson learning. All DFID projects need to be accessible to credible audit teams to certify that aid funds are being properly accounted for.

Burma: Overseas Aid

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for what reason his Department did not approve a grant application from the Kachin Women's Association, Thailand, for funding for support for people internally displaced by conflict in Kachin state, Burma.

Andrew Mitchell: Department for International Development officials reviewed the grant application from the Kachin Women's Association—Thailand (KWAT) alongside other organisations offering programmes to support people internally displaced by conflict in Kachin state, Burma. After careful consideration officials decided that significant work would have been needed to strengthen the design of KWAT's proposal for us to be able to fund it. Officials therefore decided the most effective way to reach the largest number of IDPs quickly would be to increase our existing support to those organisations that had ongoing programmes which could be scaled-up, rather than designing and approving new programmes as would have been necessary in order to support KWAT.

CDC

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when CDC plans to start publishing information on the projects it supports.

Andrew Mitchell: CDC is already publishing full lists of the fund managers it works with, the funds it invests in and the businesses in which its capital is at work.
	CDC also publishes each year its annual report and accounts and a separate annual review which examines the development impact of CDC's work.
	All of these documents are available to the public on CDC's website:
	www.cdcgroup.com

CDC: Disclosure of Information

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the contribution of the publication of forward strategies to the transparency of CDC.

Andrew Mitchell: CDC has taken on board the criticisms made about its lack of transparency. Its new Disclosure Policy puts CDC among the leaders in the Development Finance Institution sector for publication of and accessibility to substantially more amounts of information about where the money goes, who actually manages it and what results are achieved. A notable example of this new approach is the publication of CDC's high-level Business Plan at the end of May this year.

CDC: Disclosure of Information

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps have been taken to improve the transparency of CDC.

Andrew Mitchell: CDC has reviewed its transparency and disclosure policy and now publishes significantly more operational and corporate information than in the past.
	The new disclosure policy, information about the fund managers CDC works with, the funds CDC invests in and the businesses receiving CDC investment, together with country and sector information is available on CDC's website:
	www.cdcgroup.com
	along with corporate information about CDC.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 his Department has received in each month since May 2010; how many responses given in each such month disclosed (a) the full information requested, (b) part of the information requested, with some information withheld under exemptions in the Act and (c) none of the information requested; and in respect of how many requests received in each such month (i) (A) substantive and (B) holding responses were issued within 20 working days of the date of receipt, (ii) no substantive response was issued within 40 working days of the date of receipt and (iii) no substantive response has yet been issued.

Andrew Mitchell: The number of requests under the Freedom of Information Act received by DFID on a monthly basis from May 2010 to June 2011 can be found in the following table (statistics for the third quarter of 2011 are not yet available). Information on the individual outcomes of these requests on a monthly basis could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. Full statistics reporting the information sought on a quarterly and annual basis are reported by DFID to the Ministry of Justice and are published by that Department. There is no provision under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for holding responses.
	
		
			  Number of requests received 
			 2010  
			 May 38 
			 June 35 
			 July 39 
			 August 37 
			 September 42 
			 October 29 
			 November 37 
			 December 19 
			   
			 2011  
			 January 38 
			 February 32 
		
	
	
		
			 March 41 
			 April 32 
			 May 37 
			 June 45

Departmental Freedom of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in respect of how many responses to requests for information received by his Department under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the reason of (a) commercially sensitive information, (b) information not held, (c) information too costly to provide and (d) vexatious or repeated requests has been given in response since January 2010.

Andrew Mitchell: The information sought is published by the Ministry of Justice on an annual basis. The total figures published in respect of requests made to DFID from January 2010 until June 2011 are as follows (figures are not yet available for the third quarter of 2011):
	(a) Commercially sensitive—34
	(b) Information not held—35
	(c) Cost limit—93
	(d) Vexatious requests—9

Departmental Freedom of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which Minister in his Department is responsible for determining whether exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 should apply to responses to requests for information under the Act; and which other Minister is responsible for making such determinations should the subject matter of the request fall within the Ministerial responsibilities of the Minister with lead responsibility.

Andrew Mitchell: Departmental officials determine whether exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 should apply to responses to requests for information under the Act.
	The exemption under section 36 (prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs) can only apply if it is the reasonable opinion of a qualified person that the exemption applies. In relation to information held by Government, the qualified person must be a Minister. In DFID I am the qualified person.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he receives any external funding for (a) his ministerial office and (b) his advisers; and what the (i) source and (ii) amount is of any such funding.

Andrew Mitchell: No, I do not receive any external funding for my ministerial office or my advisers.

Departmental Responsibilities

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many applications from employees to run services for which his Department is directly responsible he has received since May 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) has not received any applications from DFID employees to run services that this Department is responsible for.

Departmental Responsibilities

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 1 November 2011, Official Report, column 580W, on departmental meetings, when the list will be updated to cover the period since March 2010.

Andrew Mitchell: Details of all Ministers external meetings are available on the DFID website:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-DFID/Our-organisation1/Ministers/
	and have been published up to and including March 2011. Details of external meetings from April 2011 will be published shortly. All Departments publish the returns at the same time.

Departmental Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what level of security vetting is required for (a) special advisers and (b) ministerial-appointed policy advisers in his Department; and if he will list each person who has held these posts since May 2010.

Alan Duncan: The booklet HMG Personnel Security Controls describes the circumstances in which a post may require the holder to be the subject of national security vetting checks. It is available from the Cabinet Office website at:
	www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk
	as is the quarterly publication of the list of special advisers which is also available in the Library of the House.
	There are no other ministerial-appointed policy advisers in the Department for International Development (DFID).

Developing Countries: Waste Disposal

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what agreements are in place between the UK and other governments to co-operate to end the export of electronic waste to developing countries.

Alan Duncan: Under the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) directive, the UK is working with EU member states to prevent the illegal export of electronic waste to developing countries. Under the WEEE directive, it is illegal to export hazardous e-waste from the UK for disposal in developing countries. The UK has a national intelligence team and a national environmental crime team. As part of their remit, these teams are required to prevent the illegal export of e-waste. They use an intelligence-led approach to target the most prolific, serious and organised illegal waste exporters. This has led to a 98% success rate of finding electrical waste when stopping targeted shipping containers.

East Africa: Droughts

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the funding required to alleviate the famine in the Horn of Africa.

Andrew Mitchell: The current declaration of famine by the United Nations is limited to specific areas of Southern Somalia. The 2011 United Nations (UN) Consolidated Appeal for Somalia outlines humanitarian funding requirements of US$983 million and is nearly 80% funded. Other organisations who issue their own appeals (notably the Red Cross movement) have raised most of what they have asked for. Instability and lack of humanitarian access are now more significant constrains to humanitarian delivery in Somalia than a lack of funding.
	Other countries in the Horn of Africa which are affected by drought, but not famine, include Kenya, with a UN humanitarian appeal (including for refugee support) of $741 million (68% funded); Ethiopia, with a UN appeal for the drought of $398 million (73% funded) and for refugees of $246 million (51% funded); and Djibouti with a UN appeal of $33 million (53% funded).
	Regularly updated information on the funding situation for the Horn of Africa (and other emergencies) can be seen on the UN’s Financial Tracking Service website:
	http://fts.unocha.org/

East Africa: Education

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to help improve educational opportunities in East Africa.

Alan Duncan: Our support for education in east Africa is designed to improve access with a particular focus on improving opportunities for girls to complete primary school and go on to secondary education.
	In Kenya, we plan to increase support for state schools in the arid north eastern parts of the country where enrolment is low, and to support the development of low cost private schools in more densely populated urban communities. We shall be increasing opportunities for girls to complete primary and go on to secondary school in a number of different ways, such as improving the school environment and providing better incentives for girls to stay on in school through scholarships and cash transfers for their families. By 2014-15 we shall be supporting at least 300,000 students at primary level (of whom 160,000 will be girls) and at least 600 secondary school students, two thirds of whom will be girls.
	In Tanzania, we shall have a similar emphasis on increasing girls’ enrolment at primary level and transition to secondary education through enhancing the quality of education, improving water and sanitation in schools and ensuring better literacy and numeracy. We shall be supporting a pilot programme to improve girls’ safety and tackle gender-based violence in school. By 2014-15 we plan to support at least 300,000 students at primary level and 85,000 students at secondary level (of whom 50% will be girls).
	In Uganda, we shall be increasing opportunities in northern Uganda for 13,000 children with disabilities and through vocational training for 160,000 young people. Two programmes through the Girls’ Education Movement aim to enable girls who drop out of primary school to resume their studies and provide 1,000 bursaries for girls to attend secondary school.

Famine: International Co-operation

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is on the adoption by the UN of the Charter to End Extreme Hunger.

Andrew Mitchell: I am fully supportive of the Charter to End Extreme Hunger’s aim to reduce the likelihood of crises such as that currently taking hold in the horn of Africa taking place in the future. In at-risk areas such as this, the Government have committed in their Humanitarian Policy to support strengthened warning systems and contingency plans and to build resilience to disasters. Already, in Ethiopia we are helping 7.8 million people to break their need for emergency food programmes by providing support before food insecurity reaches famine levels.
	I have recently written to the non-governmental organisations behind the charter to assure them of my support for their aims and express appreciation for their vital work. I know that Valerie Amos, the UN’s emergency relief co-ordinator, has been similarly positive about the charter.

Horn of Africa: Famine

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he has taken to encourage other (a) nations and (b) international organisations to assist in meeting any funding shortfall in famine relief for East Africa.

Andrew Mitchell: The UK has been at the forefront of the world's response to the crisis in the Horn of Africa. While UK lobbying has helped to attract significant financial support to humanitarian appeals, there remains a shortfall of approximately US$609 million.
	Over the summer I have spoken with a number of my international counterparts about the crisis in the Horn; a central message I have pushed is the need for generous and sustained support to relief and recovery efforts. Specifically I have held discussions with the United Nation's Emergency Relief Coordinator, Baroness Amos, and with Josette Sheeran of the World Food Programme. In addition I have also spoken with Dr Rajiv Shah from the United States Agency for International Development; Ben Knapen, the Netherlands' Development Minster; Dirk Niebel, Germany's Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development; Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for International Development Cooperation of Sweden; Henri de Raincourt, France's Development Minister; and Franco Frattini, Italy's Foreign Minister.
	During July I pressed development ministers and officials including Denmark's State Secretary for development policy, Ib Petersen; European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs; Deputy Director General and Minister of Foreign Affairs for France, George Serre; Minister of the Environment and International Development of Norway, Erik Solheim; Japanese President, Sadako Ogata; President of Institute for Liberty and Democracy, Hernando de Soto; Deputy Administrator of USAID, Donald Steinberg; Secretary General of UNCTAD, Supachai Panitchpakdi; Chair of Development Assistance Committee France, Brian Atwood; Director-General of Ausaid Australia, Peter Baxter; President of CIDA Canada, Margaret Briggs; Director General of International Cooperation, the Netherlands, Yoka Brandt; Vice Minister for Development Policy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Korea, Tae-Yul Cho; Director General Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Switzerland, Martin Dahinden; Associate Administrator UNDP, Rebeca Grynspan; Secretary General OECD, Angel Gurria; State Secretary for International Development Cooperation Sweden, Anna Helquist; Political Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Norway, Hege Hertzberg; Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry for Eco-Cooperation Development Germany, Gudrun Kopp; Executive Director UNICEF, Anthony Lake; Managing Director of Public Policy, Bill Gates Foundation, Geoff Lamb; Managing Director of World Bank, Mahmoud Mohieldin; Kenyan Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, and Foreign Minister, George Saitoti; Somali Government; senior officials from the United Nations (UN) including Baroness Amos of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; Josette Sheeran of the World Food Programme; Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees; and Tony Lake of the UN Children's Fund.
	The Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and the Under-Secretary of State for International Development, the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr O'Brien), have also discussed the crisis affecting the Horn of Africa with a number of their counterparts.

Horn of Africa: Famine

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is on helping to meet any funding shortfalls experienced by non-governmental organisations operating in East Africa.

Andrew Mitchell: The UK is currently the second largest bilateral humanitarian donor to the Horn of Africa drought crisis, behind the United States, having committed £128.44 million since 1 July. Much of this funding has been provided to NGOs such as Save the Children UK, Oxfam GB, Concern, Care International UK and Action Against Hunger UK.
	The UK is committed to encouraging other countries to support relief operations and lobbying others remains a key component of the UK's response. On this issue, over the summer, I have spoken many times to development ministers from other countries such as the United Sates of America, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Sweden, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Canada, Australia and Japan; as have the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague). The UK will maintain the pressure on other donors to support life-saving humanitarian activities and resilience building activities carried out by NGOs and others in the Horn of Africa.

International Assistance

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of progress towards achieving the millennium development goals (a) to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by 2015, (b) to achieve universal primary education by 2015, (c) to promote gender equality and empower women and (d) to reduce child mortality.

Andrew Mitchell: DFID's Annual Report includes information on global progress towards the millennium development goals, as well as progress in DFID's priority countries. Information on global progress can be found within chapter 2, with progress in DFID's priority countries included within chapter 3.
	A link to DFID's Annual Report for 2010-11 is included as follows:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-us/How-we-measure-progress/Annual-report/

International Assistance

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the UK's contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Andrew Mitchell: DFID’s Annual Report includes information on global progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, as well as progress in DFID’s priority countries. Information on global progress can be found within Chapter 2, with progress in DFID’s priority countries included within chapter 3.
	A link to DFID’s Annual Report for 2010-11 is included as follows:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-us/How-we-measure-progress/Annual-report/

Overseas Aid

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations he has received on steps to increase public awareness and understanding of UK aid spending.

Alan Duncan: Between January and June 2011 the Department for International Development conducted a comprehensive external review into the use of aid funds in the UK to promote awareness of global poverty. This review, completed by the Central Office for Information, consulted a wide array of stakeholders. The report, with a list of the stakeholders consulted, is available at:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/development-awareness-review

Overseas Aid

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the joint statement made by UK development non-governmental organisations in advance of the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness entitled Aid effectiveness in contexts of poor governance, conflict and fragility.

Andrew Mitchell: The UK broadly agrees with the priorities in the joint statement made by UK development non-governmental organisations in advance of the Fourth High Level Forum (HLF4). The Government’s priorities for HLF4 are improving aid effectiveness in fragile and conflict affected states improving results and the transparency of development assistance.
	The UK plans to support, with others, a new deal for fragile and conflict affected states at HLF4. The New Deal, which has been led by fragile states themselves, working in partnership with donors, and a large group of civil society organisations including many UK NGOs, comprises a set of new goals and commitments to deliver legitimate, inclusive politics and build better security, justice and economic foundations.

Overseas Aid: Developing Countries

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) funding and (b) programmes for climate change adaptation and mitigation prioritise the needs of (i) children and (ii) other vulnerable people in developing countries.

Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government have launched the International Climate Fund (ICF) to help reduce poverty and tackle climate change in developing countries. Our adaptation funding will be focused on the poorest countries in the sectors that are most important to poor people's livelihoods and vulnerable to climate change. For example, the ICF will reduce the vulnerability of poor people to climate-related shocks by funding better early warning systems, building cyclone shelters, and setting up insurance schemes to protect farmers and families from losses.
	The UK Government are also developing programmes to support clean energy solutions for poor people who are not currently connected to the national electricity grid, reducing their vulnerability to external fuel prices and the need to collect traditional sources of fuel. This provides more time for economic activities and has a significant impact on maternal and child health. We are continually analysing and tracking the impact and application of climate financing to ensure that the voices of poor and vulnerable people, and their representatives are heard, and taken into account, in the selection and design of programmes.

Population

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the likelihood of the Government meeting its commitment to achieving the (a) trends in global population and (b) Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

Andrew Mitchell: The Government have made no commitment to meeting the global trends in population. We are however committed to giving women control over their lives and their bodies. We know that when women are given the choice they choose to have smaller families; they choose to have more for their children not more children.
	The UK will enable at least 10 million more women to use modern methods of family planning by 2015, so that women can decide for themselves whether, when and how many children to have. Britain will also directly contribute to preventing more than five million unintended pregnancies. Progress against these commitments will be made publically available through DFID's annual report.
	DFID's annual report includes information on global progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, as well as progress in DFID's priority countries. Information on global progress can be found within chapter 2, with progress in DFID's priority countries included within chapter 3.
	DFID's annual report for 2010-11 can be found at:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-us/How-we-measure-progress/Annual-report/

Somalia: Cholera

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to help restrict the spread of cholera in Somalia.

Andrew Mitchell: In south-central Somalia, DFID is supporting the efforts of the United Nations Childrens Fund, OXFAM and Action Against Hunger to provide clean water to 500,000 people and construct over 2,000 latrines. DFID and other donors are also supporting partner programmes to upgrade water and sanitation facilities in health centres, promote good hygiene and sanitation practice to prevent diarrhoea and cholera, and do clean up campaigns in high risk areas. With donor support, UNICEF has also engaged world experts from the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh to train staff and treat cholera cases in 17 hospitals.
	In Somaliland, diarrhoeal disease prevention kits, funded by DFID, are provided through social franchising networks in 79 private pharmacies. Over 1.2 million water tablets have been purchased and messages on prevention have been given to over 4,000 women over the last year.

Somalia: Overseas Aid

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to ensure that aid is reaching those most in need in (a) Somalia and (b) regions of Southern Somalia under the effective control of al-Shabaab.

Andrew Mitchell: Since July, the UK Government have allocated £57 million to support humanitarian aid in Somalia, the vast majority of it in Southern Somalia where people are most in need. To date UK aid has provided 247,000 people with food assistance, treated some 7,500 severely malnourished children, vaccinated 500,000 children against measles and supplied 400,000 doses of drugs to treat malaria. I have also pressed other countries to pay their share. The 2011 UN Consolidated Appeal for Somalia is nearly 80% funded—the best funded appeal globally, Nonetheless, huge needs remain unmet.
	The Department for International Development (DFID) humanitarian support is guided by core humanitarian principles, including impartiality. Aid is therefore prioritised to reach those in greatest need. In Somalia most of the people suffering from famine are in areas under the control of Al Shabaab. DFID works with trusted and experienced United Nations, Red Cross and international non-governmental humanitarian organisations who have managed to maintain some access to vulnerable people in Al Shabaab-held areas. DFID partners put in place robust systems to minimise the risks, and ensure aid reaches those most in need.
	We are discussing with other actors, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, whether they can encourage Al Shabaab to ease access constraints for all humanitarian actors.

Turkey: Earthquakes

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support his Department is providing to Turkish authorities following the recent earthquake; and whether his Department is providing (a) food, (b) medicines, (c) blankets and tents and (d) heaters; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Duncan: In response to a specific request from the Turkish Government, the UK Government have provided 1,144 protective winter tents to house 5,500 people who are without shelter. The Turkish Government have not requested food, medicines, blankets, heaters or additional relief commodities. The UK Government will continue to monitor the situation in the affected region.